Formation Of Anti- Smog Squads, Lahore Administration In Action To Control Smog Issues

Islamabad: Owing to the latest reports of the international monitors about the Air Quality Index of Lahore the highest in the world, the district administration of the city has decided to constitute 5 anti-smog squads. Commissioner Lahore Captain Muhammad Usman chairing a meeting in his camp office announced that the anti-squad squads will be comprised of the officials of different departments and corporations of the provincial metropolis.

According to the sources, the DC office has issued notification for the establishment of the Anti-smog units. The notification reads, “In pursuance of directions of PDMA wherein smog has been declared as a calamity in terms of Punjab National Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act 1958 and considering the worsening situation of Air Quality index in Lahore, it is decided to make five special squads for 30 days to control smoke-emitting industries and to enforce Punjab Environment Quality Standards (sic).” Before this, the Chairman Judicial Water and Environment Commission (JWEC) has ordered Chief Seceratory to submit a Weekly Report On Smog.

Now By the order of the District administration authority, These special squads will be authorized to seal industrial units and impose penalties on the violators. The Deputy Director Environment would work as focal person of the squads while the inspector environment would act as a team lead. The notification further added that each squad would be required to visit 12 industrial units per day to monitor the situation of pollution in the industrial units and ensure compliance with the directives of the judicial environment commission.

Earlier this month, Lahore was reported among the top Cities of the world where poor air quality is becoming a real threat to the ecological balance of the atmosphere. A few days back Lahore was declared the 2nd Most Polluted City In The World with its AQI crossing the 700 mark. Over the past few days, the AQI remained beyond 500 which compelled the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to monitor the situation in the provincial capital. The severity of the issue was so intense that the Lahore High Court had to intervene to compel the concerned authorities for immediate action.