LAHORE/GUJRAT: Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb says the government has implemented several measures to tackle the rising issue of smog across the province.

Ms Aurangzeb told a press conference that in the areas like Lahore, Sheikhupura and Kasur, the air quality index (AQI) rises from 250 to 450 during the smog season, causing serious health conditions like conjunctivitis, lung cancer and skin diseases.

“The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against vehicles, industries and kilns contributing to smog,” she said.

A multi-sectoral approach involving industrialists, kiln owners, and drivers is now in place. She said the Environmental Protection Department is digitally monitoring vehicles through Safe City cameras and motorcycle owners are encouraged to check their bikes for fitness, costing Rs700, to avoid fine of Rs2,000.

Drones monitor air pollution in Gujranwala

She said that an e-mass transport system has been introduced with 30 e-buses and e-bikes set to operate in Lahore soon. The government is also enforcing a historic ‘Industrial Emission Control System’ and banning smoke-emitting vehicles, including government-owned ones, from entering Lahore.

To prevent crop residue burning, sensors and drones are monitoring fields, particularly in areas like Gujranwala, Narowal, and Sheikhupura. The government is also providing 1,000 super seeders to farmers at a 60% subsidy to curb crop burning.

Plastic pollution is also being tackled, with over 7,000 tonnes confiscated after the ban.

She said smog caused 250,000 deaths annually. Citizens should avoid construction activities and adhere to dust standard operating procedures by covering dust sites and sprinkling water every four hours. Dust sites have also been mapped. For the first time, the government is providing 1,000 super seeders to farmers with 60 per cent subsidy to prevent crop burning.

Ms Aurangzeb stressed that plastic was harmful and reported that 7,070 tonnes of plastic had been confiscated after the ban.

Meanwhile, on the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on Saturday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched an initiative of monitoring and combating the air pollution through the use of drone cameras in Gujranwala.

The EPA officials said the industrial city had been selected for launching the initiative under the guidance of Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzaib and EPA Director General Dr Imran. They said that in a first for Gujranwala district, an EPA inspection team equipped with advanced drones had been deployed to monitor air pollution.

Being led by Usman Azhar, deputy director Environment, Gujranwala, an EPA team conducted a drone monitoring operation, resulting in enforcement actions against the violators.

The EPA team during inspection found gross violation at two units of aluminum works at Gala Arey Wala, Link Sheikhupura Road, Gujranwala and the kilns at both the units were demolished by the EPA team that was guarded by police.

Meanwhile, a tree planting campaign was also launched by the EPA team at an industrial unit in the industrial estate area of Gujranwala.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024