Punjab launches Chamkta Lahore drive to cut road dust

Punjab's local government department has launched a cleanliness and anti-smog campaign in Lahore that will wash 648 kilometres of road every week, aimed at the dust that thickens the city's air in winter.

The campaign, named Chamkta Lahore, was started on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and inaugurated by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique at Liberty Chowk. The provincial government said it is meant to reduce airborne dust, improve sanitation and keep roads and public spaces clean across the capital.

ProPakistani reported that 100 major roads, locations and commercial markets have been identified for targeted cleaning, with roughly 100 kilometres of road to be washed each day to reach the weekly total.

The same report said the operation would use 16 mechanical washing machines on road surfaces, 46 rickshaw-mounted washers on footpaths and 10 rickshaw-mounted anti-smog mist guns that spray water into the air to bring dust particles down.

Rafique told the media at the launch that the provincial government's anti-smog measures over the past two years had produced encouraging results, and that smog levels in November were noticeably lower than those recorded two years earlier. He did not cite specific readings for either period. He said he expected the new campaign to improve air quality and cleanliness across Lahore.

The minister also highlighted ongoing development projects in Punjab, including road infrastructure, healthcare, education and urban beautification. He said these initiatives were being implemented from major cities to union councils to improve public facilities and people's quality of life.

Aaj News and Aaj English TV also reported the launch, headlining it as the Chamkta Punjab Project.