The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deployed 15 modern water sprinkler machines to reduce dust and smoke generated around construction sites and industrial clusters as part of anti-smog measures in Lahore.
EPA spokesperson Sajid Bashir explained that each unit has a water storage capacity of 12,000 litres and can complete a sprinkling cycle within one hour. The machines will be stationed at designated locations across the city.
Whenever a technical committee reports a rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) for any area, sprinkling will begin there immediately.
The machines were tested on Friday on major city arteries, including Main Boulevard Gulberg, Ferozepur Road, Canal Road, Jail Road and in the Central Business District.
A mobile monitoring station simultaneously recorded pre- and post-operation data. The EPA intends to assess the comparative analysis over the next 15 days to measure the effectiveness of the sprinkling drive.
According to real-time air quality data, Lahore's AQI on Friday hovered around 119, categorised as "unhealthy for sensitive groups," with fluctuations between moderate and poor levels in recent days. Officials believe the targeted use of sprinklers at pollution hotspots can help provide some relief during the smog season. The spokesperson said priority will be given to industrial clusters, construction zones, and other heavily impacted areas so that citizens may experience improved air quality in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the provincial Smog Steering Committee, chaired by Senior Minister Mariyyum Aurangzeb, approved several measures to curb air pollution. Under the anti-smog plan, a modern air quality monitoring system is being introduced across Punjab.
According to a statement, 38 monitoring stations are already operational, with the number set to increase to 41, along with five mobile units.
The chief minister has directed that updated air quality reports be issued every eight hours to keep citizens informed. To discourage crop residue burning, farmers will be provided machinery, including 5,000 super seeders and access to a new harvester-sharing programme.
The government has also deployed 12 drone squads and eight e-squads for monitoring and enforcement.
In Lahore, the Parks and Horticulture Authority has been tasked with expediting projects such as "Lungs of Lahore" and "Lahore Ring" to improve urban greenery, while waste management projects worth Rs5 billion will be launched in Faisalabad and Gujranwala. The provincial authorities will also introduce liquid tree plantations in areas unsuitable for conventional planting.
Additionally, 15 fog cannons and 25 advanced gas analysers have been handed over to the environment department.
Vehicles with faulty engines or excessive emissions will be barred from roads, with repeated offenders facing harsher action.
To strengthen the plastic ban, nine "no-plastic zones" will be created, and seized plastic bags will be recycled into colour-coded bins for government schools by October 31.
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