The district administration declared new timings of Lahore market to curb the deteriorating air quality levels. The relocation is meant to contain smog because the Lahore AQI went beyond dangerous thresholds this week.
Markets will close at 10 pm and all restaurants are to close at 11 pm. On Sundays, business will be limited, and only a few hours between 2 PM and 10 PM. The decision is applicable throughout the city, and Assistant Commissioners will be expected to report daily on the implementation.
The basic services like hospitals, drug stores, petrol stations, and milk stores will keep operating freely. The management ensured that violations of the timings of the Lahore market will be followed by strict fines and sealing of the shops.
These measures have been ordered by the Lahore High Court (LHC) due to consistent reports of dangerous Lahore AQI levels. The court also requested the closure of all commercial activities in first Sundays of the week and ordered an officer of the Environment Department to be present in all hearings, to update the progress.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza had directed the enforcement teams to check on compliance and report on a daily basis. The government installed drones and air-quality surveillance to monitor the sources of pollution in real-time.
Construction dust and night time business are also major causes of the increase in the AQI in Lahore. Governments can impose more measures, such as school and traffic lockdowns, in case of deterioration of conditions.
New Lahore market times are now operational in the city and their adherence is enforced to regulate the level of air pollution.
