Punjab bans production of petrol-powered motorcycle rickshaws

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to ban the production of petrol-powered motorcycle rickshaws to curb air pollution and ensure a cleaner environment in the province.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Anti-Smog chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The meeting decided to impose a complete ban on the production of petrol-powered motorcycle rickshaws, while a decision was also taken to gradually phase out the manufacturing of petrol motorcycles.

It was also made mandatory for all government departments to purchase only electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as electric motorcycles, in the future.

A complete ban has been imposed on washing vehicles at home, and a decision was taken to introduce colour-coded waste bins across Punjab, similar to modern global practices.

The meeting also issued instructions for strict action and penalties against the burning of plastic or any material that produces toxic fumes.

The meeting also approved to set up workshops under public-private partnership for the inspection of smoke-emitting vehicles.

Senior Punjab Minister Marriyam Aurangzeb briefed the meeting on measures taken to tackle smog and improve air quality.

According to Marriyam Aurangzeb, Punjab’s first state-of-the-art air quality monitoring network has been established, while the AQI forecasting system now makes timely identification of smog and air quality levels possible.

She stated that the use of smog guns has significantly reduced pollution at local points, while a comprehensive anti-pollution operation continues across various areas.

She said that there has been an 88 per cent reduction in crop-burning incidents in Lahore and surrounding areas, which are now being monitored using drone technology.

The meeting was told that a total of 41 air quality monitors are operating across 18 districts of Punjab, and a deadline has been set for installing an additional 100 sensors next year.

Through Punjab’s first emission testing system, 300,000 vehicles have been tested so far, while the night squad has demolished more than 100 pollution-causing industrial units.

The meeting was informed that, for the first time, the Punjab Green School Certification Programme has also been launched.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while instructing strict zero-tolerance towards child labour, said that important targets were achieved within a year and a half, and there is a commitment to further improve them over the next four years.

She said that the use of technology is a symbol of modernity, and Punjab must become a model of progress in technological terms.

The chief minister appreciated the performance of relevant departments for providing new technology and machinery for environmental improvement.