LAHORE: Punjab Government, in collaboration with National University of Science and Technology (NUST), has installed Smog Clean Tower in Lahore.
According to APP, “the tower is being installed in Mehmood Buti. The location has been selected due to the high level of air pollution. The installation and calibration of the tower is underway. It will be fully functional by December 21.”
The tower is capable of cleaning poisonous particles present in the air, which will play a significant role in reducing the pollution level in the city.
Senior Minister of Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb has termed it a revolutionary step, saying that the use of modern technology is the need of the hour to control the serious smog issue. This tower will prove a model for Lahore and Pakistan, she added.
Meanwhile, Punjab Environmental Protection Department continues wide spread actions against those involved in spreading pollution.
Lahore has experienced sever low in Air Quality Index (AQI) for more than three months, which badly affected its overall growth.
Educational institutions and market have significantly been affected.
Pollution has been the top most factor that lowered the AQI level in Lahore and positioned it as the second most polluted city in the world.
As part of broader effort to combat worsening air quality, the Advocate General (AG) of Punjab earlier in November also had shared the idea with Lahore High Court, proposing that weddings be limited to October, with a ban in place for November, December and January to help reduce pollution during winter months. However, it was then approved to extend the ban till November 24.
The toxic air has sparked health concerns for millions of residents especially young children. UNICEF has issued warnings about dangers of prolonged exposure to such polluted air with more than 11 million children under five at risk.