The department decided to turn the traditional petrol-based motorbikes into electric bikes. It further stated that the provincial transport department would bear the half expenses of this transformation.

The test of transforming old bikes into electric bikes has been conducted successfully in prestigious University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore.

“If Punjab’s half of registered bikes are transformed into electric vehicles, it will reduce the air pollution significantly,” Transport Secretary said.

According to Transport Department, the use of electric bikes will be encouraged during these months and relevant department will pay the half amount paid for transformation of petrol-based motorbikes into electric vehicles.

The department further stated that the process on “Punjab Clean Air Programme” was underway to kick off the climate friendly initiatives with the support of World Bank (WB). The WB will also contribute to this project.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that government had made the smog issue a part of the curriculum to spread awareness related to the issue.

Earlier, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and delegation of Asian Development Bank (ADB) held meeting. The participants reflected on measures to combat the chronic issue of smog in the province.

Senior Minister said that smog cannot be eliminated over a night, it would take a decade to resolve the issue completely, adding that government is working on E-mass Transit Programme with the cooperation of the World Bank. Highlighting the government’s efforts to mitigate smog, Senior Minister said that six air quality monitors have been installed to calculate smog levels, and factories are being assisted in installing emission control systems. Farmers have also been given 1,000 super seeders with a 60 percent subsidy.