The Punjab traffic police have issued their performance report for November, detailing extensive measures to address smog and environmental pollution.
According to a report by ARY News on Tuesday, over 181,000 vehicles emitting excessive smoke were fined in November, with penalties exceeding Rs341.5 million. Fitness certificates for 4,371 vehicles were suspended, while route permits for 682 smog-producing vehicles were revoked.
The performance report states that the crackdown also resulted in the registration of 260 FIRs against violators and the removal of over 31,000 heavily polluting vehicles from the roads. Additionally, more than 29,000 tractor trolleys carrying sand and debris were penalized for non-compliance with regulations.
A spokesperson for the Punjab traffic police highlighted fines of up to Rs. 2,000 and strict legal action against smoke-emitting vehicles as part of the broader effort to combat smog and protect public health. The department reiterated its commitment to a cleaner and safer environment through rigorous enforcement.
Despite these measures, smog continues to plague Lahore and other cities across Punjab, with air quality deteriorating to dangerous levels. In response, the provincial government announced the closure of schools up to the higher secondary level in smog-affected districts until November 24.
The worsening air pollution, driven by factors such as low-grade diesel emissions, agricultural burning, and seasonal cooling, poses a significant threat to public health. Lahore, in particular, has remained engulfed in a mix of fog and pollutants for days, exacerbating the crisis.
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