City off-limits to heavy traffic

Vehicles polluting air to be denied entry on Fridays, Sundays

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has banned the entry of heavy traffic and smoke-emitting vehicles into Lahore on Fridays and Sundays.

The restrictions are part of measures to address rising smog levels in the city, according to the traffic police.

Under the directive, all types of heavy vehicles, including loaders and tractor-trolleys, will not be permitted entry into the city on the designated days. DSPs will supervise checkpoints with personnel stationed at 12c key entry and exit points around the city.

The ban also applies to vehicles that emit dark smoke, are in poor condition or lack valid fitness certificates. Exceptions will be made only for fuel carriers, medicine transporters, essential food supplies and passenger vehicles, all of which will be subject to inspection before entry.

Chief Traffic Officer Ammara Athar stressed that transporters must adhere to the regulations to combat smog and improve the air quality in Lahore. As heavy fog and smog engulfed several cities in Punjab on Thursday, the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway was closed because of low visibility.

Lahore again topped the global list of most polluted cities. The Air Quality Index in Multan was reported at 559, Faisalabad 405, Peshawar 270, Islamabad 186 and Rawalpindi 199.

According to the meteorological department, there is a possibility of rain in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Layyah and Dera Ghazi Khan.

Meanwhile, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia informed a USAID delegation that the organisation was on alert to deal with all challenges, including smog, flood, dengue, drought and heat wave.

The delegation visited the PDMA office to discuss the early warning system, disaster risk reduction, climate change in Punjab.

The PDMA director general said 24-hour communication was ensured with all districts through the provincial control room.

He said warnings and alerts were issued to the administration regarding heat wave, rain, flood and other disasters, while steps were being taken on an emergency basis to curb smog.

He also said there had been an increase in lightning incidents.

The USAID delegation pledged cooperation in risk assessment and early warning system. The delegation's members said that melting glaciers, lightning strikes and heavy rains were due to climate change. All possible support will be provided to the PDMA to prevent natural disasters, they added.

The Punjab Auqaf Department also organised special prayers for rain at major mosques across the province. Auqaf Secrtary Dr Tahir Raza Bukhari said at Jamia Masjid Dargah Hazrat Shah Chiragh in Lahore that smog was having an increasing impact on everyday life.

He said the entire region was feeling the effects of global shifts in weather patterns.

The official urged the public to follow the preventive measures issued by the Punjab government to mitigate the impact of smog. He also called upon religious leaders and institutions to raise awareness about the issue through sermons and community outreach.

With additional input from APP