The distribution of coal at reduced prices—an initiative launched by the government—has kicked off in Kabul.

The Kabul municipality said that the price of coal sold by the government is 50 percent less than the market price and there are 32 centers across Kabul.

“The coal is at all centers located in Kabul. There are four kinds of coal and the people purchase based on their needs,” said Nematullah Barakzai, a spokesman of the Kabul municipality.

Abdul Wali Akhundzada, head of one the coal centers in Kabul, said that the residents can purchase coal after coordinating with the local departments of the districts.

“At leas 2,221 people have so far referred been here. They demanded different kinds of coal," he said.

The residents of Kabul called on the Islamic Emirate to pay attention to the quality of the coal.

“The price of the coal should be lower and also its quality should be good. If it is not good quality, then it can harm the whole family,” said Fahim, a resident of Kabul.

I haven't purchased coal because it is expensive and I don't have the capacity to afford it,” said Khairuddin, a resident of Kabul.

Meanwhile, environmental analysts believe that the use of coal will cause severe air pollution in the capital.

“The use of coal can pose severe dangers, and therefore no world country uses it without filtration,” said Kazam Hamayoun, an environmental protection analyst.

The Islamic Emirate announced earlier that it will preposition 400,000 tons of coal in four main parts of Kabul to provide heating materials with fair prices for the residents.