Lahore: The federal ministry of climate change on Thursday (December 30) announced the completion timeline for three out of eight smog monitoring stations in Lahore and has expediated development efforts to the same effect, news sources reported.
As per the deadline communication, these air quality monitoring stations will be functionalised by June 2022. The remaining five monitoring units are announced to be established after securing investment from the World Bank (WB). Reportedly, the environment protection units of federal and provincial governments held talks to monitor the deteriorating air quality index (AQI) of the city. According to a government official, the administration is having difficulty monitoring the AQI due to insufficient resources and just two AQI monitoring facilities in the city. He also stated that current data suggests that vehicles produce 40% of pollution, with the remainder coming from improper stubble burning and industries.
He also stated that high electricity bills have discouraged kiln operators and steel mills from deploying pollution-controlling blowers and scrubbers. Furthermore, he stated that stubble burning in one of the neighbouring countries is a key contributor to poor air quality. The air quality will not improve until the country implements a comprehensive policy.
Nauman Ahmad is an imaginative Pisces whose love for literature and nature is unparalleled. When he's not reading or hiking, he's sleeping and eating, which gives him plenty of energy for his next adventure.
