Lahore: The Punjab government has lifted the ban on construction activities in Lahore and several other districts, according to an article published on November 25.
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Besides Lahore, other districts include Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Multan, as air quality shows signs of improvement. In a notification issued by the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the resumption of construction is conditional upon strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Control of Fugitive Dust, available on the official website of the Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPD).
Additionally, brick kilns using environmentally friendly zigzag technology and furnaces equipped with functional Emission Control Systems (ECS) are permitted to operate, provided they comply with the Smog (Control & Prevention) Rules 2023. To curb pollution further, the Punjab government has maintained a complete ban on the use of fireworks and restricted the entry of heavy vehicles into Lahore on Fridays and Sundays.
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Exceptions to the vehicle restrictions apply to essential services, including fuel, medicine, hospital supplies, food, passenger buses with valid Vehicle Certification System (VCS) clearance, and emergency services like ambulances and rescue vehicles.