Lahore, October 30, 2024-The Punjab government has imposed a “green lockdown” in areas of the city identified as air pollution hotspots amid sever smog in the city. This preventive measure comes in response to rising pollution levels, with the city recording an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 532 on Monday.
Lahore faces worsening air quality each winter as falling temperatures trap construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke. To address this, restrictions have been imposed in specific high-risk areas: Davis Road, Egerton Road, Durand Road, Kashmir Road, Abbott Road (from Shimla Hill to Gulistan Cinema), Empress Road (from Shimla Hill to Railway Headquarters), and Queen Mary Road (from Durand Road to Allama Iqbal Road).
According to the official notification, all construction activities in these areas are banned, along with ching-chi rickshaws and commercial generators. Restrictions also apply to open cooking points and BBQ stalls after 8 pm, food outlets using charcoal, coal, or wood without proper emission controls, and marquees and marriage halls after 10 pm. Additionally, dry sweeping has been prohibited.
The government has directed both public and private offices within these areas to adopt a work-from-home policy, operating at 50% capacity on a rotation or as-needed basis. Car parking in these zones is restricted per the Chief Traffic Officer’s guidelines. A special team will inspect heavy transport vehicles entering these areas, with those emitting black smoke denied entry.
