Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has decided to implement a modern method to combat air and dust pollution in Lahore, inspired by China’s practices.
Maryam Nawaz has ordered the installation of water sprinkler systems at 1,500 construction sites in Lahore. This technology, developed locally, has been tested for the last three weeks.
After the success of these tests, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to implement it in practice.
The CM directed the Department of Communications and Works (C&W) and Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to immediately install the ‘Water Sprinkler System’.
The system works by spraying water in a fountain manner to prevent dust and debris from rising at construction sites.
The CM also ordered the installation of water sprinkler system at Gaddafi Stadium by January 15, Express News reported.
According to the decision, construction sites will have to cover their sites with green cloth to prevent cement, dust and dirt from spreading during construction work.
The decision also includes a provision stating that if the water sprinkling method is not followed after February 10, legal action will be taken.
Senator Maryam Aurangzeb said the use of water sprinklers and misting techniques would accelerate the mission of eliminating smog and improving air quality.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working for the past nine months to combat air pollution.
He stressed that behavioral change, the cooperation of all citizens and the use of modern machinery and methods are essential for environmental improvement.
Earlier, the healthcare sector in Punjab had to deal with a large number of patients affected by smog and air pollution in 2024, but at the same time the provincial government launched several new projects and schemes to improve healthcare services for citizens .
The government launched health infrastructure projects, a free medicines initiative, the Sehat Sahulat Program and public-private partnerships. The provincial health budget was also increased.
However, in the last three months of the year, millions of people suffering from ailments caused by smog and pollution sought treatment.
Hospitals faced increased workload as large numbers of people suffered from respiratory, heart and eye diseases.
In addition to this, dengue emerged as a challenge for the health department in the middle of the year. The populous districts of Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan, were the center of the disease.
