The Punjab government has imposed a “green lockdown” in Lahore, under which restrictions will be imposed on identified smog hotspots.
The restrictions in designated areas will include barring barbecue joints and marriage halls from operating, while motorcycles and rickshaws will be prohibited.
The government made the announcement in light of increasing pollution levels in the provincial capital, which continues to rank at the top of the world’s worst air quality index.
Senior provincial minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, speaking in the Punjab Assembly, announced that 11 areas in Lahore have been identified as smog hotspots, with the Shimla Pahari area being the most affected.
She affirmed that the “green lockdown” would be imposed starting Thursday (today).
The director general of the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, issued the green lockdown notification.
Smog hotspots
Dawn reports that smog hotspots include major roads of the city such as Davis Road, Egerton Road, Durand Road, Kashmir Road, Abbott Road, starting from Shimla Hill to Gulistan Cinema, Empress Road, starting from Shimla Hill to Railway Headquarters, and Queen Mary Road, starting from Durand Road to Allama Iqbal Road.
Details of green lockdown
The details of the green lockdown delineate that all construction activities within a one-kilometre radius of Shimla Hill are totally banned. Besides this, the use of commercial generators, Qingqi motorcycle rickshaws and barbecue activities are restricted after 8 pm.
Food points using charcoal, coal or wood without a proper system of controlling carbon emissions are required to stop functioning right away.
The Punjab government has directed marquees and marriage halls to close by 10 pm.
Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) is ordered to conduct wept sweeping to reduce dust in the environment.
To tackle the traffic jams on roads, encroachments will be removed.
Moreover, half of office employees at workplaces are informed that they can work from home.
Green Ring
Marriyum Aurangzeb revealed that the government is planning to establish a “green ring” around the provincial capital using modern technology as part of the Lahore Green Master Plan.
This will create a “wall of trees” to reduce emissions and increase oxygen levels.
She further said every tree would be geo-tagged. To increase the number of trees in industrial areas, the Punjab government will collaborate with industries to expand tree plantations.
The educational institutions and students will be encouraged to participate in “Green Force” during the smog season.
Crackdown on environmental violations
In light of the government’s crackdown on environmental violations, two factories were sealed, and fines of Rs 200,000 were imposed, a senior minister told the Punjab Assembly.
Furthermore, three brick kilns and four plastic melting plants were demolished, and several food outlets in the Model Town area were sealed due to excessive pollutant emissions.
Sand-carrying trolleys are advised to use covers now to reduce dust on the roads. 296 vehicles have been fined, a total amount of Rs592,000, and 102 cars were taken into police custody.
Electric buses
The Punjab government has also decided to introduce 30 electric buses and e-bikes in Lahore to control the pollution further.
Punjab Safe Cities Authority is also directed to issue daily e-challans to vehicles emitting smoke and strict action against individuals involved in the burning of waste.
Previously, Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Maryam Nawaz spoke at a Diwali ceremony earlier today, during which she hinted at writing a letter to the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab on the issue of smog.
