Eye, throat issues on rise as smog persists

LAHORE : The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the provincial capital continued to deteriorate as it reached 324 here on Tuesday.

The City witnessed a hazy looks and citizens continued to complain about burning eyes, irritation in throat, cough and other health issues. Following the high levels of the smog, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) took various late night operations against industries involved in causing pollution.

Punjab Environment Department DG Imran Hamid Shaikh said that since October 1, 469 brick-kilns and industrial units have been demolished. He said inspection of 7,613 brick-kilns and industrial units across Punjab was done during the last 28 days by the EPA while notices were issued and 318 FIRs were registered against 1,758 units and kilns across Punjab. He also stated that inspection of 24,333 vehicles emitting smoke while 7,081 challans and 1,205 vehicles were closed across Punjab.

Met officials said that a westerly wave was affecting upper parts of the country. They predicted that mainly dry weather was expected in most parts of the country while partly cloudy weather with chances of light rain-wind/thunderstorm (with light snowfall over high mountains) at a few places in Gilgit Baltistan.

Rainfall was recorded in Malam Jabba, Saidu Sharif, Dir, Pattan, Balakot, Mardan, Kalam, Drosh, Kakul, Astore, Chillas, Skardu, Bunji, Gilgit, Hunza, Bagrote and Muzaffarabad.

Tuesday’s maximum temperature was recorded at Shaheed Benazirabad where mercury reached 41°C, while in Lahore, it was 32.5°C and minimum was 19.8°C.

Natural beauty of Lahore to be improved

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Bilal Yasin has said institutions are working on a common strategy to enhance natural beauty of Lahore.

The minister visited different highways along with LDA DG Tahir Farooq here on Tuesday.

The minister reviewed the ongoing development works in the city and inquired about improving the traffic flow. He inspected the main entry and exit points of the city.

DG Tahir Farooq and Chief Engineer Asrar Saeed gave a briefing on different projects.

Punjab government is working on emergency basis to prevent smog. All sub-agencies under housing were being mobilised and integration was being done to improve the working in all the subsidiaries, he said.

The minister directed that the entrances of the city should be made similar to the historical heritage, and plantations should be planted on the sides of the entrances and exits of the city to increase cleanliness and beauty.

The minister directed for improving Thokar check post and sad lane marking should also be done to increase beauty.

Meanwhile, the minister visited Liberty Roundabout, Main Boulevard Gulberg and adjoining areas.

He reviewed the patchwork works in the provincial capital. Talking to the media, the minister said that potholes and patchwork works were in progress on more than 100 important highways of Lahore. He said 302-km of highways of the provincial capital were being cleared of potholes under the directions of the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Bilal Yasin said that the dilapidated roads have been repaired on the special instructions of the CM. After a long time, patchwork and road work was being done in Lahore, he said, adding ‘We will restore the beautiful and historical face of Lahore and there will be state-of-the-art work, no compromise on quality.’

He said if compared to all the provinces of Pakistan, the performance of Punjab CM will be seen as the best. Clean water supply, sewerage, road works, streetlights and all works related to the common man were the first priority, he said.