LAHORE: Commissioner Aamir Jaan has linked the issuance of environment no objection certificate (NOC) for new commercial and industrial buildings with the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

He was chairing a meeting regarding issuance of environment NOC for new commercial buildings, offices and fuel stations at his office on Monday.

Mr Jaan made four conditions mandatory for issuance of environment NOC for new commercial and industrial buildings in Lahore division.

He said: “There is a need of the hour to take steps regarding future vision of energy saving and combating smog.”

He said NOC for environment in Lahore division had been conditioned with installation of different systems including solar system, certified energy efficient devices, water recycling plants and electric vehicle charging stations in parking areas of the building.

The commissioner said water conservation would be secured by water recycling plants and electric charging stations would help meet the near future facility for electric vehicles to combat smog in the city.

He said that the energy crisis, water shortage and smog were a menace for the metropolitan cities including Lahore.

He made it clear that no NOC would be issued without the above-mentioned conditions to make Lahore an environment-friendly city.

The city district administration was also following the Lahore High Court orders to ensure closure of the markets in the provincial metropolis at 10pm as a measure to control smog.

The city administration officials were conducting raids in different markets and closing the shops, hotels, restaurants and other commercial activities to control the smog.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2022