Punjab’s Caretaker Minister for Transport, Ibrahim Hasan Murad, has provided statistics on the government’s efforts to tackle smoke-emitting vehicles.
According to official data, over 1,700 vehicles have been impounded, and fines totaling Rs. 80 million have been imposed for causing air pollution in the past few weeks.
Minister Murad stated that out of the 71,000 vehicles inspected, 5.6 percent were found to be violating emission reduction orders and emitting smoke. The Punjab Transport Authority Enforcement Wing is taking strict actions against vehicles from private schools, colleges, and universities.
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Motorcycles have been identified as primary contributors to pollution, and while they receive fines and warnings, they are not impounded, particularly as many motorcyclists are from the labor class.
Minister Murad also mentioned that cloud seeding is being utilized by the government to increase the chances of rain.
In response to an improved Air Quality Index (AQI), Punjab has decided to lift the smart lockdown implemented to address smog. Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the decision was made after consulting with experts and the Punjab environment department.
