ISLAMABAD, Mar 9 (APP): Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has called the administration of a newly proposed high rise “3 Star Hotel” to adopt Green Hoteling guidelines to reduce the burden on ecology and nature on their project site.
The public hearing of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report of “3 Star Hotel” was held here and attended by Project Proponent Haroon Mahmood and chaired by Director EIA, Pak-EPA Ahsan Rafi Kiani, co-chaired by Deputy Director Pak-EPA Khalid Mehmood.
The hearing was also attended by the local area residents, media persons, experts, Pak-EPA officials, and NUST University students.
The EIA Report details were presented by Environmental Engineer of Project Procurement International Ali Abdullah who was also the project consultant.
On the occasion, Ali Abdullah told that the purpose of the public hearing was the compliance of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 Section 12 (1) that barred any project proponent to commence construction or operations sans the EIA Report’s public hearing and required proper approval of the project from the federal agency of Pak-EPA.
He informed that the project was planned to meet the increasing demand for temporary quality accommodation for the people visiting the federal capital for various purposes. After becoming operational, a hotel usually generates huge employment in the area, whereas the proposed 3 Star Hotel was expected to employ around 150 to 300 people.
He mentioned that the project comprised of erecting a 12-story building spreading on an area of 4.95 kanals in the I-8 Markaz. It would have 141 guest rooms, two restaurants, two banquet halls, one all-day dining area, three meeting or board rooms, offices, a gym, a retail area, one seminar hall, and a swimming pool.
He added that the hotel building would have two basement floors dedicated for parking which would have the capacity for 148 cars. “The hotel’s demand for electricity has been estimated at 1.5MW, and for water 105,300 gallons per day.
And the approximate wastewater generation is calculated to be 84,240 gallons, and solid waste of 432 kg per day,” Engineer Ali Abdullah said.
Moreover, he underlined that a proper fire suppression system with multiple solutions to contain inferno in the Hotel would be installed.
He mentioned that the project proponent would install solar panels, an HVAC system to conserve energy, and a septic tank to treat wastewater before discharge.
On the occasion, Director EIA Ahsan Rafi Kiani pointed out that the solid waste and wastewater estimates were not conforming to the hotel’s room capacity and should be set as per the hoteling guidelines.
He also demanded that the project proponent should provide CDA’s approval in writing for massive wastewater disposal.
Deputy Director EPA, Khalid Mehmood demanded the project proponent to clarify the size of the septic tank not mentioned in the EIA Report.
Deputy Director, EPA Dr. Mohsina Zubair suggested that the project proponent should adopt eco-friendly hoteling guidelines to reduce the burden on the environment and place a special water audit system, and traffic management plans on a priority basis.
Follow the PNI Facebook page for the latest news and updates.
