Vehicles Without EPA Test Banned on Motorways Near Lahore

To fight rising smog and pollution levels, the Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPD) has officially banned vehicles without EPA-approved emission tests from entering motorways around Lahore. New emission testing booths are being set up at critical points along the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, marking a major crackdown on vehicular pollution ahead of the smog season.

Imran Hamid Sheikh, head of the EPD, confirmed that the booths will soon become operational at Babu Sabu, Thokar Niaz Baig, Ravi Toll Plaza, and Kala Shah Kaku. These locations will serve as checkpoints for on-the-spot emission testing. Vehicles that pass will receive green clearance stickers, while those without the sticker will be barred from motorway access—especially during Lahore’s high-smog months.

According to department spokesperson Sajid Bashir, this measure is especially important in winter when air quality in Lahore reaches hazardous levels. The unchecked entry of polluting vehicles has been a major contributor to the city’s persistent smog problem, posing severe health risks to millions of residents.

To ensure smooth traffic flow and avoid public inconvenience, the EPD has increased the number of testing stations and designed the process to be fast and efficient. Vehicles will be tested within minutes, allowing drivers to continue their journeys with minimal delays.

This ban demonstrates Punjab’s serious commitment to environmental protection. By controlling emissions directly on motorway routes, the government hopes to drastically reduce air pollution in one of Pakistan’s most densely populated cities.

Commuters are being urged to get their vehicles tested in advance to avoid disruption. The initiative is not just about enforcement—it’s about protecting public health and ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for all.

As the booths begin operations in the coming days, motorway users will see the new policy in action, reinforcing the message that environmental responsibility starts with every vehicle on the road.

Afsheen Gohar

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