100 air quality monitors to be installed

Rs4 billion set aside to digitise monitoring

FAISALABAD:

The Punjab government is set to install 100 air quality monitors across the province, significantly up from just three in previous years.

Punjab Secretary for Environment Protection and Climate Change, Silwat Saeed, said during a media briefing that 60 air quality monitors have already been installed, and the remaining 40 will be in place by the end of the financial year.

"Our total target is 100 monitors, and the cost this year is estimated between Rs3 to Rs4 billion," she said.

She said, "Taking the number from 3 to 100 is a massive leap.

This wouldn't have been possible without extensive groundwork and strong support from international partners."

She announced that from next month, air quality data would be made accessible to the public via a live dashboard.

"Our air quality monitors are linked with IQAir, so people can get real-time data online," she said.

Highlighting technological upgrades, the secretary said the department has digitised industrial inspection systems using artificial intelligence.

"Previously, inspectors had to physically visit industrial units. Now, with AI integration, we can detect emissions remotely and identify violations in real time."

She said 15 fog cannons have been deployed in Lahore on a test basis.