Punjab to launch ‘Climate Smart Watch’ for real-time air quality monitoring

WEB DESK: The Punjab government on Friday unveiled its Climate Smart Watch initiative as part of efforts to strengthen air quality monitoring and enhance the province’s response to smog and climate-related challenges.

Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, while chairing a briefing on the project in Lahore, said the government had accelerated the implementation of its anti-smog plan and placed all relevant departments on alert to improve environmental conditions across the province.

Real-time monitoring and early alerts

Aurangzeb said the Climate Smart Watch would enable real-time monitoring of air pollution and smog, allowing citizens to instantly check the quality of the air in their surroundings. She described the initiative as a major step in the government’s efforts to tackle smog and address the impacts of climate change.

She said the smartwatch would also provide advance alerts on extreme weather conditions and heatwaves, helping residents take precautionary measures before severe weather events.

The senior minister added that smart technology had become indispensable in addressing environmental risks and said the Punjab government would continue introducing digital solutions to make the province environmentally safer.

Crackdown on polluters intensified

Aurangzeb said the provincial government had intensified its crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles, factories and brick kilns as part of its wider anti-smog campaign.

She said authorities were enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against violations of environmental laws, adding that heavy fines and strict legal action were being taken against those responsible for causing air pollution.

The briefing underscored the Punjab government’s continued focus on combining technology with stricter enforcement measures to improve air quality and reduce the impact of smog across the province.