In just one week, 330 vehicles have been fined a total of Rs 2.7 million as part of the Punjab transport department’s crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles aimed at controlling smog.
The department has ramped up efforts against smog, inspecting nearly 17,000 vehicles last week. Additionally, 849 vehicles were issued challans for lacking fitness certificates.
From October to January, smog has become known as Punjab’s “fifth season,” enveloping urban and industrial areas in a thick layer of pollution. Climate-induced weather patterns, characterized by low wind speeds, high humidity, and temperature inversions, significantly contribute to the hazy conditions affecting major cities in Punjab.
The increase in minimum temperatures leads to a reduced diurnal temperature range, indicating higher aerosol concentrations. Satellite observations of air quality pollutants reveal that urban centers are particularly vulnerable to air pollution.
