Islamabad: As a result of collaboration between public and private sector, Pakistan’s city of Lahore got the country’s first smog tower installed to help clear the city’s skies.
According to Independent Urdu, the smog tower has been installed on an experimental basis as a result of a collaboration between Punjab’s Environmental Protection Department and a private university.
The tower has been installed in order to reduce air pollution and smog.
Performance to be monitored
According to Express Tribune, the authorities will monitor the performance of the smog tower. Based on the results, the decision regarding installation of more smog towers will be taken.
The smog tower has been installed in the Mehmood Booti area of Lahore.
Director General of Environment Protection Department Punjab Imran Hamid Shaikh said that the smog tower will be able to filter air up to 50,000 cubic feet per hour over an area of one kilometre. The field test of the tower will be conducted for 15 days, during which its ability to clear up pollutants caused by chimneys, industries and dumping sites will be ascertained.
The chemical pollutants in the air will be monitored via air quality monitors. If the experiment proves successful, a decision will be taken to install more smog towers. He further said the experiment is being conducted with support of private sector engineers. The environment protection departments will stand by private entities helping with the cause.
Air Quality
According to AQI index, Lahore is among the Pakistani cities which experience smog and air pollution related issue the most. Residents of the area have complained of ailments due to air pollution.
How does a smog tower work?
Smog towers consist of multiple layers of air filters and fans at the base to suck air. Once the polluted air enters the smog tower, it is purified across multiple layers and then released back into the atmosphere.
