To fight worsening air pollution, the Punjab government has rolled out truck-mounted “anti-smog guns” across Lahore, designed to spray a fine mist of water to reduce airborne dust and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).
However, as Lahore battles dangerously high smog levels, environmental experts are warning that the measure may deepen another environmental emergency — the city’s groundwater crisis.
High Water Use Sparks Sustainability Concerns
According to reports, each smog-fighting vehicle carries approximately 12,000 litres of water and operates up to 12 hours daily. With 15 trucks in operation, daily water consumption could exceed 2.2 million litres—roughly the daily water use of 10,000 households in an already water-stressed city.
Lahore’s Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) reports that groundwater levels are declining by 2–3 feet annually. Since the 1960s, the water table has dropped by over 18 metres, and in some areas, groundwater is now pumped from depths exceeding 160 feet, driving up energy and infrastructure costs.
These findings align with multiple independent studies.
A recent study published in MDPI found that “for the past 50 years, groundwater levels around Lahore have been dropping by 0.5 to 0.8 m per year.” Another paper reported a total fall of 18.59 m since 1961 in the city’s aquifer.
WASA MD Ghufran Ahmed cautioned that, without corrective action, “some localities may face severe shortages within the next decade.” (Source: WASA–JICA 2024)
Short-Term Results, Long-Term Risks
Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials claim the water mist has shown early promise; pilot tests in Kahna reportedly reduced coarse dust (PM10) levels by up to 70%.
However, environmental experts argue that these gains are short-lived and localized.
“Given Lahore’s alarming water depletion, the use of water cannons is only a temporary fix that risks worsening a much larger problem,” — Dr. Muhammad Yaseen, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab.
Similarly, WWF-Pakistan Director Hammad Naqi Khan warned:
“Water scarcity poses a greater long-term threat to Lahore than smog itself. What we need is sustainable air-quality management, not water-intensive firefighting.”
Learning from Other Cities: Delhi and Beijing
Lahore’s use of anti-smog guns mirrors similar initiatives in Delhi, where dozens of mist cannons were deployed in 2022. Yet, Delhi’s own Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that the water-based approach provided minimal citywide impact, particularly in dry, windless conditions.
Beijing abandoned similar experiments years ago after data showed that misting systems could reduce airborne dust by only 1–2% over a few hundred meters, while consuming significant water volumes.
Environmentalists argue that Lahore risks repeating the same pattern, treating symptoms rather than causes.
Experts Advocate Sustainable Alternatives
Specialists suggest focusing on long-term, water-efficient solutions such as:
- Strict enforcement of emission standards for industries and vehicles
- Permanent crop-burning bans and farmer incentives for residue management
- Mass plantation drives and urban green corridors to absorb pollutants
- Rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge systems in public spaces
- Real-time air quality monitoring integrated with traffic and industrial zoning
These measures not only tackle smog at its source but also align with Pakistan’s National Adaptation Plan.
Without integrated planning, experts warn, Lahore may solve one crisis only to deepen another: water scarcity.
Conclusion
While the Punjab government’s anti-smog guns may offer short-term visual relief, they risk aggravating Lahore’s deep-rooted groundwater crisis.
Experts urge a pivot toward sustainable, science-backed measures that balance clean air initiatives with responsible water stewardship — ensuring Lahore doesn’t trade smog for drought.
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