Punjab decides not to issue M-tags to vehicles without fitness certificates

LAHORE: The Punjab government has taken another step towards controlling smog issue in the province.

The government decided not to issue M-tags to vehicles without fitness certificates.

Vehicles older than 30 years will not be allowed to enter Lahore from October to January. Nor will they be able to travel on the motorway.

To get an M-tag, now the vehicle’s registration book and license will have to be shown along with the vehicle’s fitness certificate.

Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan has said that this condition has been imposed in view of the smog-ridden conditions we have gone through.

He said that we have also written a letter to the Services and General Administration, seeking details of government vehicles.

Bilal Akbar Khan said that first of all, the fitness certificate is being implemented on government vehicles. And it is not possible to stop people and let the government sleep. These orders will apply not only to large commercial vehicles but also to private vehicles.

ROUTE PERMITS TO BE CANCELLED

Moreover, according to Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the Transport Department and Police to cancel route permits of vehicles with bad engines and those that are emitting excessive smoke.

The directive also says to eliminate smoke, dust and dirt, ban on entry of trucks, buses and heavy vehicles into Lahore on Fridays and Sundays.

So far, the provincial govt has demolished six brick kilns in Lodhran, Okara, Vehari and Sargodha as part of anti-smog campaign. Three industrial units, one steel rolling mill, one textile unit, and one rice mill have also been sealed.

Over 1,000 vehicles with bad engines and emitting excessive smoke have been inspected, and 64 sand trolleys without tarpaulin have been taken off roads.

The minister said that water spraying and cleaning also continues on the roads.

Comprehensive measures and solid policies will improve the province’s environmental future, Marriyum Aurangzeb said, adding that today’s measures will form the basis for eliminating smog in 8 to 10 years.