Lahore implements ‘Green Lockdown’ as smog crisis worsens

The Punjab government implemented a “green lockdown” in Lahore’s designated smog hotspots on October 30, imposing restrictions on barbecue outlets, motorcycle-rickshaws, and marriage halls- a move that air quality experts criticized as inadequate and poorly planned.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced in the Punjab Assembly that 11 Lahore areas, with Shimla Hill being the most affected, had been marked as smog hotspots, and the “green lockdown” would commence on Thursday, October, 31.

Anotification issued by Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh, Director General of the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency, lists pollution hotspots, including major roads such as Davis Road, Egerton Road, Durand Road, and others around Shimla Hill.

Lahore implements green lockdown

Following restrictions have been imposed under the green lockdown:

• All construction activities within a one-kilometre radius of Shimla Hill are halted.
• Restrictions are placed on commercial generators, Qingqi motorcycle-rickshaws, and open barbecue activities after 8 pm.
• Food outlets using charcoal, coal, or wood without proper emission controls must cease operations.
• Marriage halls must close by 10 pm, and only wet sweeping by the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) will be allowed to minimize dust.
• Encroachments will also be removed to ensure smooth traffic flow, while heavy transport vehicles face restrictions and half of office employees will work from home.

Ms. Aurangzeb also announced Punjab government’s plan to establish a “green ring” around Lahore as part of the Lahore Green Master Plan. This initiative will form a “wall of trees” to combat carbon emissions and improve air quality. “Every tree will be geo-tagged,” she explained, adding that afforestation in industrial areas will be intensified, with schools and students participating in a “Green Force” during the three-month smog season.

Crackdown against violators

In the fight against environmental violations, the government has sealed two factories and imposed fines totaling Rs200,000. Additionally, three brick kilns and four plastic melting plants were demolished, and several food outlets in Model Town were sealed for excessive smoke emissions.

To further reduce road dust, trolleys transporting sand and soil must now use covers. A total of 296 vehicles were fined Rs592,000, while 102 vehicles were impounded. Plans to introduce 30 electric buses and e-bikes have also been announced. The Punjab Safe Cities Authority is issuing daily e-challans to vehicles emitting excessive smoke and cracking down on waste burning.

The initiative aims to curb pollution in Lahore, which consistently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities. On, October 30, Wednesday, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a peak of 588 at 3 am, with readings fluctuating across the city. Although the AQI dropped to 177 by 8 pm, it still remained above healthy air standards.

Recommendations from WWF

To address worsening air quality of Lahore and its disastrous impacts on human health, WWF-Pakistan released a report analyzing data from 2013-2024, highlighting the impact of vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and crop residue burning as major contributors to the city’s air pollution.

WWF’s recommendations focused on promoting electric vehicles (EVs), expanding mass transit, segregating industrial zones, and shifting to renewable energy sources.

“Adopting electric vehicles can help curb emissions,” noted Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, emphasizing the need for subsidies and EV infrastructure to ensure a smooth transition.

The report also suggested implementing low-cost sensor-based monitoring systems to better track pollution levels and manage traffic routes accordingly. It identified pollutants such as PM2.5, CO, and NO2 as significant health risks to Lahore’s 13 million residents.

Additional recommendations included improving crop residue management, enhancing vehicular emission testing, and enforcing pollution control measures within industries.

“Shifting industrial power sources from coal to solar energy could significantly reduce pollutants,” said Nazifa Butt, WWF-Pakistan’s Director of Climate and Energy.