Lahore: The Lahore division administration has established an anti-smog monitoring cell in order to control and monitor the persistent issue of smog, a news source reported on October 27.
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As per the details, this specialized unit will operate under the leadership of the additional commissioner (coordination), with oversight from the Lahore commissioner. The cell comprises various key members, including the Additional Deputy Commissioner (general), District Transportation Authority Secretary, Deputy Directors of Environment from Lahore, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, and Sheikhupura, Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Parks and Horticulture Authority Director, Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director, Agriculture Deputy Director, Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA) Director, Municipal Officer (Regulations) from the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation, Lahore Waste Management Company Deputy General Manager (Operations), Lahore Traffic Police DSP, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Executive Engineer (Gulberg), and a law officer from the Commissioner’s Office.
Moreover, these members are tasked with the continuous monitoring of the smog situation in the Lahore division, and they will submit daily reports and presentations on their respective departments’ anti-smog efforts to the Assistant Commissioner (revenue) and the committee’s secretary.
To ensure accountability, Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa has called for third-party verification of the anti-smog measures taken by environmental officers. He has warned of consequences for any active pyrolysis plant and emphasized the responsible use of water resources for smog-mitigation activities.
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The commissioner also stressed the need for strict actions against violations and the provision of alternative machines to farmers for managing crop residues more responsibly. The coordinated efforts and stringent monitoring of the anti-smog initiatives reflect the city’s commitment to combat smog-related challenges effectively.