Lahore AQI improves amid Punjab govt’s ongoing anti-smog efforts

LAHORE: The air quality in Lahore is expected to remain relatively improved today, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasted to stay between 220 and 240, officials said on Tuesday. The Punjab government credited its ongoing anti-smog operations for the noticeable improvement in air quality following a wave of pollution that entered the province from across the border.

According to environmental experts, smog levels had worsened in recent days due to cross-border pollution following Diwali celebrations in India. However, targeted efforts by the provincial administration have helped control the situation, particularly in Lahore.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the government’s anti-smog campaign is continuing “in full force.” She noted that anti-smog guns are being deployed in heavily polluted zones, while water sprinkling at construction sites and on major roads is being carried out regularly to reduce dust particles.

“Strict implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) is underway to curb the spread of smog,” said Aurangzeb. “Our strategy also includes controlling the movement of heavy trucks and large vehicles within Lahore to prevent further emissions.”

Officials stated that air quality in Lahore is expected to remain better than usual between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM today. However, the Punjab government has advised vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to avoid going outdoors after sunset when pollution levels typically rise.

Polluted air is also expected to drift into other parts of Punjab. According to meteorological reports, air from Dharamsala in India will affect Faisalabad, while smog-laden winds from Himachal Pradesh are likely to impact Lahore and Gujranwala. Similarly, winds from Ludhiana and Sri Ganganagar are forecasted to reach areas including Sahiwal, Burewala, and Vehari.

Marriyum Aurangzeb urged the public to cooperate with government efforts to combat smog, emphasizing that collective action is essential to improving air quality across the province. “Public awareness and responsible behavior are key to making our anti-smog initiatives successful,” she added.

DO ANTI-SMOG GUNS ACTUALLY WORK?

Newly deployed “anti-smog guns” are now a becoming a common sight in Lahore. These green trucks are fitted with large fog cannons, and they disperse a fine mist into the atmosphere with the aim of reducing airborne particulate matter.

Introduced under the provincial government’s Climate Resilient Punjab initiative, these anti-smog guns are being promoted as a visible step toward improving air quality. However, while they may appear effective, scientific research casts serious doubts on their utility, a report by DAWN News said. A study conducted in China in 2023 found that these cannons can actually worsen air pollution levels by increasing humidity in the air. They may inadvertently accelerate chemical reactions that produce more fine particulate matter. In short, instead of purifying the air, they might be unintentionally contributing to its deterioration.

Each of these imported fog cannons reportedly costs over Rs45 million, and operating just one can consume hundreds of thousands of litres of water per day, a staggering figure for a city already grappling with water scarcity. Despite this, the government continues to roll out more units, even though experts have long warned that these high-profile machines are more about optics than actual results.