LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to prohibit the production of petrol-powered motorcycle rickshaws as part of an initiative to combat air pollution and promote a cleaner environment across the province.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Anti-Smog, chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. It was resolved to impose a complete ban on the manufacturing of petrol-driven motorcycle rickshaws, alongside plans to gradually phase out the production of petrol motorcycles in the near future.
The meeting also mandated all government departments to exclusively procure electric and hybrid vehicles, including electric motorcycles, as part of environmentally sustainable practices. Additionally, a strict ban has been introduced on washing vehicles at home, and plans are underway to implement color-coded waste bins throughout Punjab, drawing inspiration from global best practices.
Instructions were issued for stringent measures against the burning of plastic or other materials that generate toxic fumes. The meeting also authorized the establishment of workshops under public-private partnerships for inspecting smoke-emitting vehicles.
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyam Aurangzeb provided an update on efforts to address smog and enhance air quality. She informed the attendees about the inauguration of Punjab’s first advanced air quality monitoring network, along with the recently implemented AQI forecasting system, which enables timely tracking of smog and pollution levels. Marriyam Aurangzeb highlighted how the deployment of smog guns has significantly reduced localized pollution, while a comprehensive anti-pollution campaign is actively ongoing in various regions.
She further noted an 88 percent decline in crop-burning cases in Lahore and its adjoining areas, monitored through drone technology. The officials reported that 41 air quality monitors are currently operational across 18 districts in Punjab, with plans to install 100 additional sensors by next year. Moreover, Punjab’s first emission testing system has evaluated 300,000 vehicles so far, while the night squad has shut down more than 100 industrial units contributing to pollution.
For the first time, Punjab has launched its Green School Certification Programme aimed at fostering environmental awareness among educational institutions. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed strict zero-tolerance towards child labor and emphasized achieving crucial objectives over the last year and a half. She also reaffirmed her commitment to building upon these successes in the next four years.
Maryam Nawaz underscored that adopting technology symbolizes modernization and stressed that Punjab should strive to become a leading model of technological progress. She commended the performance of relevant departments for introducing innovative technologies and machinery dedicated to environmental improvement.
