Lahore has topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities once again as bouts of smoke have settled into the atmosphere of the city, the respiratory health of the population has declined and schools have threatened to close down temporarily. The toxic smog has become a calamity in light of which, the Punjab Relief Commissioner, Babar Hayat Tarar, proposed a ban on vehicles without a fitness certificate. Problems of enforcement, adherence and coordination between different sectors still remain unresolved.
The Vehicle Inspection and Certificate System (VICS) has assumed responsibility of implementing the ban on polluting vehicles, issuing fitness certificates as well as the verification process. Those found guilty would be held accountable through high fines that are aimed at discouraging the use of carbon-emitting vehicles that have contributed to the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) greatly. This was an initiative that was needed and has the potential to make a difference, provided that enforcement is strict.
Already, the Punjab Government’s Environment Protection Department implemented a ban on the open burning of rice stubbles, hazardous materials and solid waste yet, we still see raging fires every mile or so in city centres. No action is taken against those who are actively releasing toxic gasses into the air, contributing to the 981 AQI reading in Lahore recently—the highest in the last four years. The average AQI in other parts of the city is a deadly 700. These are not normal circumstances and with such toxic air, people are ideally required to wear oxygen masks.
For too long, the government has been introducing policies right at the point when the situation reaches a point of no return. There is a serious lack of implementation due to a lack of coordination between the transport, agriculture and environment sectors. Accountability and change though promised, is not being achieved. With Lahore literally blinded by smoke, our people’s lives are at serious risk.
