Due to excessive air pollution, the Canton Sarajevo Government has declared an episode of “Alert” in the zone that includes the municipalities of Novi Grad, Novo Sarajevo, Centar, Stari Grad and Ilidža, with the application of intervention measures. In the area of the other municipalities, the measures from the Alert episode remain in force.
The decision to declare an Emergency was made by the Government of CS, on the proposal of the line ministry and the Expert Body for Monitoring and Coordination of the Application of the Cantonal Plan of Intervention Measures in Cases of Excessive Air Pollution, which explained the reasons for declaring the Emergency.
In the report of the Expert Body, it was emphasized that at the measuring station Bjelave, the average daily values of PM10 exceeded 200 micrograms per cubic meter of particles, which is the threshold for declaring an Emergency, and that, according to the synoptic forecast, a stable weather situation is expected that will favor the accumulation of solid particles in the air. Other monitored pollutants do not record increased values.
High concentrations of PM10 are still recorded today in most of the Canton, and the situation worsens during the evening hours.
By the decision of the Government, those responsible for the application of this plan are ordered to implement the prescribed intervention measures that are in the function of protecting the health of the population and reducing emissions of polluting particles, namely the municipalities, relevant cantonal ministries of interior affairs, transport, education, the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs, public utilities companies and institutes, legal and natural persons, business entities, combustion plants and technological plants, and thermal energy producers.
During the State of Emergency, all individuals and legal entities are prohibited from driving cars and trucks whose engines have the EURO3 standard and below. The Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs are responsible for monitoring the implementation of this measure.
Also, all technological processes that result in dust emissions into the air are temporarily stopped, where it is technically feasible, that is, if the technological processes allow stopping. In the event that due to the characteristics of the technological process, it is not possible to completely stop them, it is necessary to reduce them to a technical minimum. The environmental inspection of KUIP is in charge of monitoring the implementation of this measure.
The Emergency episode also prescribes the maximum increase in the capacity of public city transport that does not pollute the environment, as well as the provision of free public transport or subsidized train tickets during the duration of that episode. The bearer of this measure is the Ministry of Transport of CS.
