In response to Lahore’s escalating smog crisis, the Punjab government announced a “green lockdown” on Wednesday for the city’s most polluted areas as a preventive measure.
This measure follows the recording of a hazardous air quality index (AQI) of 532 in Lahore on Monday morning, signalling severe pollution levels exacerbated by the onset of cooler weather.
Annually, Lahore contends with significant pollution during the winter months as lower temperatures help trap pollutants from construction sites, vehicles, and burning activities.
Restrictions are now in place along several key roads, including Davis Road, Egerton Road, Durand Road, Kashmir Road, and Abbott Road, extending 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.
The newly issued notification prohibits the construction and operation of ching-chi rickshaws and commercial generators in these zones. Additionally, from 8 p.m. onward, open-air food and BBQ points must close, and food outlets using charcoal, coal, or wood must install appropriate emission controls. The notification also enforces early closures at 10 p.m. for marquees and marriage halls and bans dry sweeping.
Furthermore, government and private offices within the specified areas must implement a work-from-home policy, affecting 50% of their workforce on a rotational or as-needed basis. The Chief Traffic Officer has also issued guidelines to limit car parking.
Special teams will monitor all heavy transport vehicles entering these zones, denying entry to any emitting black smoke.
This order takes immediate effect, and authorities will enforce compliance strictly.
