LAHORE: Pakistan’s first smog tower has begun its trial run in Lahore as the city grapples with dangerously high pollution levels.
In collaboration with a private university, the Punjab Department of Environmental Protection (EPD) launched a pilot project to tackle the worsening smog crisis.
If successful, the government plans to install similar smog towers in other affected cities across Punjab.
Officials said efforts are underway to combat smog through multiple measures, including stricter controls on emissions and industrial pollution.
Lahore, the provincial capital and home of over 14 million people, along with other cities in Punjab, experiences a sharp rise in smog intensity each year.
In November 2024, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a staggering 1,400, far exceeding the hazardous level, considered extremely dangerous for health. During winter, the AQI often remains above 300, prompting the government to take urgent steps.
Smog tower in Lahore trial
EPD Director General Imran Hamid said the smog tower has been installed in the Mehmood Buti area of Lahore. “This is an experimental project,” he explained. “If the results are positive, we will expand this technology to other smog-affected cities, including Lahore.”
He added that the trial would take a few weeks to evaluate its effectiveness.
The Punjab government is also collaborating regionally to address air pollution, including discussions with neighboring countries like India. “We are working on a joint action plan for regional air quality improvement,” Hamid said.
Tackling smog sources
The government has intensified efforts to curb emissions from factories, brick kilns, and smoke-emitting vehicles. Authorities are also cracking down on crop burning, a major contributor to seasonal smog.
Can smog towers make a difference?
Smog towers, also known as smog-free towers, function as large-scale air purifiers. They aim to reduce harmful particulate matter in the air.
The concept was pioneered by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde, who installed the first smog tower in Rotterdam in 2015. Since then, similar towers have been deployed in cities like Beijing, Krakow, and Anyang.
Also Read: Punjab govt to install anti-smog guns to counter risihng smog
China’s largest smog tower, a 100-meter-high structure in Xi’an, was installed in 2016. The project cost $2 million, with annual operating expenses of $30,000.
According to this year’s Life Quality Index Institute report, compiled by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, the people of Lahore could have had their lives shortened by 7.5 years due to the poor air they breathe.
