Social Media: Will Authorities Ban Dino Merlin's Concert Due to Air Pollution?

The controversy has not subsided after the Operational Staff of the Sarajevo Canton Government restricted car movement in Sarajevo Canton due to severe air pollution in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, writes Patria.

The temporary measure has been in effect since Sunday, based on the even and odd license plate system. On one day, vehicles with an even last digit on their license plate are allowed to drive on Sarajevo streets, and on the next day, vehicles with an odd last digit on their plate will drive.

All measurement stations in Sarajevo have shown for days that the air quality is catastrophic, and that it far exceeds the permissible values of polluting particles.

Air quality and climate change expert Martin Tais said that Sarajevo is the most polluted city by dust in Europe.

The Operational Staff of the KS Government expects that the 'even-odd' system could contribute to reducing air pollution in Sarajevo.

Citizens, however, have a different opinion. For some of them, the Government's decision is a form of terror. They believe the measures are unclear and superficial. Citizens driving new cars are particularly protesting. The decision does not spare those who drive cars on gas or those with hybrid engines. Such engines are environmentally friendly. The government should not have put them in the same category as old diesel engines.

Some experts also believe that the restriction of vehicle movement causes more harm than good. Authorities should stimulate environmentally friendly ways of heating apartments in Sarajevo. Banning vehicle movement harms businesses, complicates citizens' movement... those who commute to Sarajevo from other cities are particularly facing problems.

Udjem danas u Sarajevo s autom i onda cekam prekosutra da izadjem!!!

— Srđan Puhalo (@SrkiPuhalo) December 24, 2016

Even the police are confused. They announce strict fines, from 500 to 1,000 KM for individuals and up to 5,000 KM for legal entities. At the same time, news from the police indicates that they do not have the authority to fine, but only to record drivers who do not comply with the measure.

There are also various comments on social media. The public is interested in how it is possible that the authorities, due to air pollution, are restricting citizens' movement, consciously causing damage to businesses, considering the suspension of classes in schools, and at the same time are urgently working on organizing Dino Merlin's concert for New Year's Eve. Thousands of people will be exposed to smog during the New Year's celebration.

- If there is an emergency situation due to pollution in KS, will Merlin still hold the New Year's concert? - asks one citizen on the social network Twitter.

ako je vanredna situacija zbog zagadjenja u KS
hoce li ipak Merlin odrzati novogodisnji koncert#zabrane #parnepar #zdravlje

— #Autohtonibosanac (@autohtonibosanc) December 26, 2016

- The government justifies the decision to introduce the even-odd system by caring for citizens, and at the same time encourages thousands of citizens to come to Dino Merlin's concert for New Year's Eve - says another comment, reports Patria.