PESHAWAR: The district administration of Peshawar has sealed 15 illegal marble factories operating along Warsak Road following an operation launched on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Captain (Retd) Sanaullah Khan.
According to the press release issued from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the move is based on reports of unauthorized marble factories operating without the use of filtration plants to treat the wastewater produced as a result of marble cutting.
Deputy Commissioner Sanaullah Khan said due to the absence of filtration systems, the contaminated water had been flowing through the drainage system into canals and blocking the agricultural production and leading to environmental pollution.
He further stated that the polluted water discharge into the roads of nearby areas has been creating problems for the people living in those areas.
It was said that the owners of the factories had been issued notices several times ordering them to install filtration plants, but they failed to take any steps against it, so the sealing operation took place.
The legal action against the owners of the factories has been started too.
The Deputy Commissioner’s office said operations against illegal marble factories and units violating environmental regulations would continue across the district.
Funds shortfall, administrative hurdles delay Peshawar Northern Bypass project
Meanwhile, the Northern Bypass project in Peshawar has been delayed due to a shortage of funds and a series of administrative challenges, raising concerns over its timely completion.
Official documents show that the project requires an additional Rs8.54 billion to be completed. For the fiscal year 2025-26, authorities estimated a funding requirement of Rs4.27bn, but only Rs2bn has been released, potentially slowing the pace of construction.
Following a revised cost estimate, the total cost of the project has increased to Rs27.051bn. Of this, more than Rs24.215bn has already been spent, including approximately Rs11.9bn allocated for land acquisition.
According to the documents, several key issues continue to hinder progress. The relocation of high-tension power transmission lines at the project’s terminal point remains incomplete, while multiple land acquisition matters under Package-II and the provision of land at the N-5 Junction are still pending.
Officials said the project could be completed by October 2026, provided the remaining funds are released on time and the outstanding administrative issues are resolved.
The Northern Bypass project was originally scheduled for completion in June 2026.
