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LAHORE, Nov 19 (APP):The Punjab government’s Smog Mitigation Action Plan 2024-25 has clearly paid dividends as the major cities including the provincial capital Lahore basks in the sunshine and the air-quality index (AQI) has improved remarkably despite the advent of the winter.
With strict implementation of its policy of cutting down on crop-residue fires, upgrading industrial emissions monitoring, regulating brick kilns, and launching new air-quality infrastructure, the Punjab government has managed to achieve what the neighbouring countries have failed to manage on the impending smog threat.
In recent months the figures provided by the Punjab government show a 65 per cent reduction in reported stubble-burning incidents, verified by satellite and ground data, kiln-technology conversions, industrial emission-control system roll-out, and drone-based enforcement active across all sectors.
Experts observe that Lahore, among the most smog-affected cities in Pakistan, boasts of a clearer winter horizon as compared with the past years – a visible evidence of the “systems over slogans” approach.
Compared with Lahore which has gained in the fight against smog, New Delhi presents a bleak picture with complete smog blanket, school closures, public protests and “air-lockdown” alerts as the new normal.
Delhi is once again suffocating under toxic air. Reports show the city’s AQI reaching “very poor” to “hazardous” levels with public frustration boiling over into protests. One recent demonstration saw mothers and children take to the streets, placards in hand, demanding clean air.
A survey of Delhi-NCR residents found that seven in ten believe the government cannot enforce its own Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) or protect public health. Despite repeated “emergency mode” announcements including school closures, odd-even vehicle rules, and anti-smog towers structural reforms remain weak. Cloud-seeding trials may make headlines, but they offer only short-term relief, not root-cause solutions.
Under the World Bank-supported program, “Punjab Clean Air Program” aims to slash PM 2.5 levels by 35pc over the next decade by deploying thousands of super-seeders for farmers, 600 electric buses, and dozens of monitoring stations.
The difference between the two regions lies in focus and execution: In Punjab, the drive is data-led and preventive: mapping and monitoring sources of pollution, enforcing compliance, and mechanizing agriculture to reduce fires upfront while in Delhi, much of the effort remains reactive: fire drills, water sprays, misting systems, and “smog alerts” after the pollution has already formed. In effect, Punjab is building the system; Delhi is still trying to plug the leaks.
For Punjab, the challenge now is scale and sustainability: keeping enforcement tight, public participation high, and technologies updated. The province’s model is beginning to attract attention beyond its borders.
For Delhi and similar smog-prone cities, the message is clear: without structural change, crop-residue management, clean-industry enforcement, vehicle-emission overhaul, the annual smog cycle will persist.
As the skies clear over parts of Punjab and blur under brown haze in Delhi, the verdict is in: clean air isn’t accidental. It comes from bold policy, consistent enforcement and citizen participation.
The successful implementation of plans in Punjab offer hope against smog while Delhi’s story is of despair and warning.