Lahore takes action against smog: 36 vehicles impounded, fines imposed

LAHORE: In a recent meeting, Provincial Secretary of Transport Ahmad Javaid Qazi delved into the strategies employed to combat smog.

The Punjab Transport Department, under the newly implemented Punjab Environment Protection (Control and Prevention) Smog Rules 2023, has enforced restrictions on vehicles emitting smoke and the use of non-standard fuels across the entire province.

During the extensive checks conducted across Punjab, a total of 1,566 vehicles underwent scrutiny.

Out of these, 36 were impounded, 196 received penalties, and fines totaling Rs430,500 were imposed.

Despite these measures, the provincial capital, Lahore, retained its unfortunate distinction as the world’s most polluted city, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a concerning 288, categorising the air as “very unhealthy.”

The cityscape bore witness to a hazy and smog-laden atmosphere, severely limiting visibility. Numerous citizens reported experiencing difficulties breathing, throat irritation, and burning eyes.

According to IQAir data, Delhi, India, secured the second spot among the world’s most polluted cities with an AQI of 271, followed by Dhaka, Bangladesh (224), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (186), Kolkata, India (184), Beijing, China (171), Hanoi, Vietnam (166), Accra, Ghana (163), Karachi, Pakistan (161), and Baghdad, Iraq (158).

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Meteorological officials attributed the prevailing continental air to most parts of the country, forecasting predominantly cold and dry weather in plain areas and partly cloudy conditions in western districts.

Notably, the minimum temperature on Wednesday plunged to -12°C in Leh, while Lahore recorded a minimum of 8°C and a maximum of 21.5°C.

The concerning smog situation underscores the pressing need for continued efforts to mitigate air pollution and protect public health.