LAHORE: As smog in Lahore gets worse from October to February, the Punjab government, under the ‘Smog Mitigation Plan’ has initiated a number of measures with a promise to address this menace.

Over the past six years, Lahore has consistently ranked among the top 15 most polluted cities in the world, at times topping the list.

From October to January, smog adds to the thick layer of pollution blanketing mostly industrialised cities. Climate-induced weather patterns, with low wind speed, high relative humidity and temperature inversion, have become significant drivers of the hazy conditions and smog in major cities of Punjab.

“Under the smog mitigation plan, we have taken a number of steps to address this problem in this season. The planning in this regard began as early as April. Focus was shifted to rigorous enforcement, targeting high-emission sectors such as brick kilns and industrial units, ensuring compliance with regulations to mitigate emissions,” said Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb who also holds the environment ministry.

Talking to Dawn on Thursday, she said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was spearheading a comprehensive smog reduction plan.

“This plan incorporates both short and long-term strategies to significantly reduce air pollution across Punjab. This flagship programme aims at tackling pollution at its root through a number of actions like transitioning to greener mass transit, fuel quality inspection, industrial monitoring, tree planting drives, urban forests, drone and thermal technologies for monitoring, Green Punjab and Eco Watch apps and smog helpline.”

The senior minister said a smog monitoring unit (SMU) had been established to address smog-related challenges.

“It monitors daily activities on the smog dashboard and facilitates implementation of the smog mitigation plan by the administrative secretaries of Punjab.”

Ms Aurangzeb added that the government had also launched a massive drive against polluting industries, brick kilns, smoke-emitting vehicles and plastic. Besides, development of quick response centres for 16 districts had been made, she added.

“We have also launched ‘Hawk’s Eye’ mobile monitoring unit for drone surveillance and patrolling of anti-smog squads in all districts with eight special squads for Lahore. There has been a complete ban on single-use plastics and conversion of conventional kilns to zigzag technique,” she said and added that the government had inducted 27 e-buses and provided 8,200 e-bikes to students.

Under the plan, water sprinkling to manage fugitive dust, especially along roadside and construction, sites had been ensured.

The minister referred to the steps to control smog including cancellation of route permits of non-certified smoke-emitting vehicles, establishment of Miyawaki forests in public schools without compromising playgrounds, tree plantation drives, solarization of 36 DHQ hospitals and public institutes in Punjab and provision of super seeders and rice shredders to minimise stubble burning through e-mechanization.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2024