Bulgarian Transport Ministry Launches Operation 'Smoke'

Bulgaria's Transport Minister, Aleksander Tsvetkov, will personally monitor the start of operation "Smoke," aiming at reducing harmful vehicles' emissions and air pollution. Photo by BGNES

The first of a series of checks of passenger and cargo vehicles, carried out by the Bulgarian Transport Ministry, is launched Thursday under the codename "Smoke."

The action starts on the capital's Sofia beltway near the junction for the village of Kazichene, in the presence of Transport Minister, Aleksander Tsvetkov.

The check will be done all over the country and inspectors will watch for elevated levels of harmful emissions.

The probe comes on the heels on recently passed amendments of the Road Traffic Act, and aim at improving the technical condition of vehicles in the country and limiting air pollution.