LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday directed the Punjab government to formulate a policy for replacing diesel buses with electric buses to combat environmental pollution in the province.

Justice Shahid Karim also suggested that the auto-rickshaws be also converted into electric ones.

The judge was holding a weekly hearing of the petitions regarding environmental pollution and smog.

The judge ordered the provincial transport department to draft a policy concerning rickshaw manufacturers.

The judge observed that a phased transition policy was needed for replacing diesel buses with electric ones, acknowledging that the process may take two to three years.

Justice Karim noted that several countries, including India, had successfully converted rickshaws to electric models, which demonstrates the feasibility of such a transition. He emphasised the need for a comprehensive traffic management plan to address congestion during school hours, including declaring designated parking areas mandatory for large schools.

Stressing the need for public cooperation in keeping the city clean, Justice Karim urged people to take responsibility for cleanliness around their homes.

He highlighted the significance of the environment department’s role in the future and stressed the importance of collaborating with rickshaw manufacturers to control emissions.

The judge also directed the government that the matter of providing health allowance to traffic police should be resolved promptly, and that a summary in this regard should be finalised for the cabinet’s approval as soon as possible.

He reviewed a report on traffic management outside the city railway station.

Deputy Attorney General Asad Bajwa informed the court that the Pakistan Railways and the city traffic police would jointly manage traffic around railway stations.

Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) counsel Mian Irfan Akram submitted a report on the improvement of the city’s sewerage system. He said all drainage networks were being connected to water treatment plants, and that the existing open drains would only be used for rainwater disposal.

He also informed the court that rainwater from these drains would be treated and made reusable. However, he said the planning and development department had raised objections to the plan envisaging complete closure of open drains.

The judge adjourned the hearing till March 14.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2025