Rains bring smog relief for trade, education

Plan to observed holiday on Wednesday put off

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has decided that the educational institutions in the province will not observe a holiday on Wednesday this week because of an improvement in the smog conditions.

The decision was taken in a meeting focusing on anti-smog measures on Monday following an improvement recorded in the air quality index.

However, it was decided that factories emitting excessive smoke and burning tires will face immediate closure.

Presiding over the meeting, Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued directives to the inspector general of police and the provincial transport secretary for a continued and effective crackdown on vehicles emitting smoke.

He also emphasised the need for relentless action against brick kilns and factories that contribute to smog.

He instructed the commissioners and deputy commissioners to take robust measures against burning crop residues.

Swift action will also be taken against those found selling substandard fuel.

The district administrations were instructed to ensure continuous sprinkling of water on roads. Covering sand and gravel, along with regular sprinkling will be mandatory during construction activities.

Emphasising the need for legal action against activities contributing to smog, Naqvi urged all relevant departments to implement effective measures for maintaining the air quality level.

Caretaker provincial cabinet members, the chief secretary, IGP, additional CS, secretaries of agriculture, health, finance, environment, communications and works, transport, local government, school education, industry, Lahore division commissioner and environmental experts were among the participants of the meeting.

Following a worsening of the smog conditions earlier this month, the provincial government had planned to keeps the schools and markets closed on Wednesday every week.

The decision was aimed at protecting the children and other citizens from smog at the school opening time in the morning.

Lahore Division Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa had held a meeting with the business community to seek their suggestions. However, a group of business people had opposed the move.

School unions had also opposed the idea of closure of schools due to smog but the caretaker provincial government pursued the proposal to shut the schools and markets for an additional day during the week.

However, rains lashed the city for three days during last week, cleaning the air of smog and pollution.

Following the development, the government has postponed the idea of mid-week closure of schools and businesses. ‘

Rains in several parts of the metropolis during the ongoing week have brought added relief to the citizens from smog.

Meanwhile, the caretaker chief minister approved in principle a proposal to set up the first government cancer hospital in Lahore and sought a detailed plan in this regard.

During his visit to the Manawan Hospital, he inspected the designated site for the cancer treatment facility and the existing hospital building.

He also viewed an adjacent building and called for converting the Manawan Hospital into a specialised cancer treatment facility.

He stressed that it was the government's responsibility to provide top-notch healthcare services to cancer patients.

He called for swift decisions regarding the design of the cancer hospital and other relevant matters, including thorough planning for the procurement of the required equipment.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2023.