111 Sargodha is a place in Punjab, Pakistan, where a large number of stone crushing machines and dumper trucks operate. It is also known as the largest crushed stone market in the country, as it supplies various types of stone aggregates for construction and infrastructure projects12. According to some estimates, there are over 10,000 dumper trucks and stone crushers in Pull 111 Sargodha3.
The history of Pull 111 Sargodha dates back to the 1960s, when the Pakistan Army started building a road from Sargodha to Faisalabad. The army needed a lot of crushed stone for the road, so they set up a stone crushing plant near the Pull 111 bridge. Soon, local people also started to set up their own stone crushing machines and trucks, and the area became a hub of stone crushing industry4.
The stone crushing industry in Pull 111 Sargodha has both positive and negative impacts on the local economy and environment. On one hand, it provides employment and income for thousands of workers and truck drivers, and contributes to the development of the region. On the other hand, it causes air and noise pollution, health hazards, and damage to the natural landscape. The workers and truck drivers often face accidents, injuries, and diseases due to the lack of safety measures and regulations .
There have been several attempts by the government and civil society to regulate and improve the conditions of the stone crushing industry in Pull 111 Sargodha. For example, in 2009, the Punjab Environment Protection Department (PEPD) issued notices to 188 stone crushers and 141 dumper trucks for violating the environmental laws and standards. The PEPD also ordered the closure of some illegal and unregistered stone crushing units. In 2018, the Supreme Court of Pakistan took suo moto notice of the issue and directed the authorities to take action against the illegal and hazardous stone crushing activities in Pull 111 Sargodha.
However, the challenges and problems of the stone crushing industry in Pull 111 Sargodha still persist, as the demand for crushed stone continues to increase and the enforcement of the rules and regulations remains weak. The workers and truck drivers also lack awareness and education about their rights and responsibilities, and often resist any change or intervention. Therefore, there is a need for more concerted and collaborative efforts by the government, the industry, the civil society, and the media to address the issues and improve the situation of the stone crushing industry in Pull 111 Sargodha .
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