- Anwar Zeb
- 1 Hour ago

Lahore faces toxic smog amidst crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles, factories
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- Shiraz Hasnat Web Desk
- Oct 23, 2024

LAHORE: In Punjab, the factors contributing to air pollution include transportation at 65 per cent, the industrial sector at 25 per cent, crop residue burning at 13.9 per cent, and other causes making up 16.1 per cent of environmental pollution.
Typically, November is considered a dangerous month for smog, but this year, smog engulfed central Punjab, particularly Lahore, from mid-October. October 23rd was the most polluted day of the year so far in Lahore. Early in the morning, a thick blanket of smog enveloped the city.
According to the global air quality monitoring agency, Lahore’s AQI (Air Quality Index) was recorded at 500 overall, with some areas exceeding 600. Surprisingly, despite such high pollution levels, Lahore ranked second in the global index. The AQI in India’s capital, Delhi, was recorded at a much higher 585.
Model Town, with an AQI of 790, was the most polluted area in the city. DHA Phase 8 recorded an AQI of 730, while areas around Shimla Hill registered 680. The most affected by this dangerous and toxic air were schoolchildren and people leaving for work in the early morning.
Also read: Smog persists: Lahore ranks tenth in global pollution index
The Punjab government has declared smog a natural disaster. To combat it, Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, shortly after taking office, initiated the “Smog Control Programme.” The departments of industry, transportation, agriculture, and others were given clear targets to reduce smog.
In light of the increasing smog in Lahore, the Punjab Environment Protection Department has issued directives to relevant authorities to take necessary measures.
An advisory has been issued to delay school start times to 8:45 AM from October 28 to January 31. The environment department recommended adjusting school timings for the health of children and the elderly, suggesting that schools should not start before 8:45am. It also recommended holding school assemblies indoors instead of in open grounds and suspending all outdoor activities.
A notification from the department imposed a strict ban on fireworks in Lahore until January 31, 2025. The notification also stated that smoke-emitting vehicles, motorcycles, rickshaws, and buses would be clamped down.
Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb urged citizens to get their vehicles inspected immediately to avoid contributing further to the smog.
Recently, anti-smog squads were formed by the Punjab chief minister. These squads will visit smog-affected areas, educate farmers on preventing smog, and provide warnings and take prompt action regarding the burning of crop residues. They will also promote the use of super seeders or alternative methods for crop disposal.
The environment department and relevant institutions have been conducting operations to protect the environment. Late at night, the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) conducted anti-smog operations, sealing five factories on Bhaini and Turk Road for violating regulations.
Additionally, operations by the environment department, district administration, and traffic police are ongoing. Between October 1 and 20, 2,000 smoke-emitting vehicles were fined, over 1 million rupees in penalties were imposed, and more than 900 vehicles were impounded.
According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, 71 suspects were arrested, and 182 cases were registered during anti-smog operations in Lahore. This year, 158,579 vehicles across the province were fined for excessive smoke emissions, with fines exceeding 255.5 million rupees.
Chief Traffic Officer Lahore, Amara Athar, said that Rs30 million worth of traffic tickets have been issued this year. Tickets were issued to 10,583 vehicles causing environmental pollution with sand, dirt, and other pollutants, and to 4,000 tractor-trolleys contributing to dust pollution at night. She also mentioned that fitness certificates for 533 extremely dilapidated vehicles were canceled.
