LAHORE: Every winter disappears under a thick layer of smog. This city was once known as the city of gardens. However now the air becomes heavy and the skies turn gray. It has become difficult to breathe for millions of people.
Smoke and dust spread across Lahore every year after the monsoon ends. Traffic Fumes, Crops burning and factory emissions raise pollution to dangerous levels. Roads get blocked, schools get closed and hospital fill with patients.
The Punjab government this year has decided to turn to technology. According to authorities they are using one of the region’s most advance artificial intelligence powered clean-air systems.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, Punjab’s environmental minister, states that about 100 AI-based monitoring stations are placed across the province. Their role is to predict pollution spikes and study air patterns before they happen.
The data collected is received by a 24-hour “smog war room”. In the war room experts are able to observe sensor reports, satellite images and global climate feeds.
In this system about 8500 drones, cameras and thermal sensors are linked. Traffic hotspots, brick kilns and factories are monitored through these.
Many locations are checked through algorithms and geo-tagging.
The Environmental Protection Force receives an instant alert if pollution rises. After the alert teams are sent to locations with digital tools and drones to confirm violations.
Anti-smog guns guided by AI have also been installed in Lahore. When pollution crosses safe limits they are switched on. Major improvements were seen during the early tests in Kahna.
Citizens can now also report pollution through Green Punjab App, AQI Punjab app or helpline 1373. Governments states that they will try to resolve complaints as quickly as possible.
Crop burning is also observed through satellite data. Officials claim that crop burning has reduced by 65 percent this year.
Environmentalists agree that AI is a step forward, but not a complete answer. They stress that real progress requires deep, structural change across the economy.
Also read: Severe smog continues to grip Lahore, several Punjab cities
