EPA intensifies pre-smog crackdown

LAHORE: The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has intensified its pre-smog crackdown, directing the government departments and civic authorities to eliminate practices contributing to fugitive dust and open waste burning and strictly enforce pollution-control measures at roads, construction sites and under-construction buildings across the province. In a fresh set of directives, EPA Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh has called for an immediate shift from dry sweeping to mechanical or wet sweeping, while directing departments and development authorities to strictly implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for dust control at construction and development projects. The EPA has warned that dry sweeping, uncovered transportation of construction material and inadequate dust-control arrangements at construction sites can no longer continue unchecked as Punjab enters the critical pre-smog period. In a letter to the Suthra Punjab Authority, the EPA said dry sweeping re-suspended settled road dust into the atmosphere, contributing to elevated PM10 and PM2. 5 levels, particularly along major roads and high-traffic corridors. It asked the authority to discontinue dry sweeping and adopt mechanical or wet sweeping across Punjab. The EPA also directed the authority to prevent open burning of solid waste, including roadside waste, leaves and garbage. It called for identification and regular monitoring of dust and waste-burning hotspots, particularly during the peak smog period from October to January. In separate communications to the Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department, Local Government and Community Development Department, Communication and Works Department, commissioners, deputy commissioners and major development authorities, the EPA sought strict implementation of its SOPs for dust control at under-construction roads and buildings. The EPA said fugitive dust emissions from construction activities had emerged as a serious public-health concern and required proactive and uniform measures across the construction sector. According to the EPA, detailed SOPs for controlling dust at under-construction roads and buildings had already been developed through an office order issued in 2025. However, field inspections by EPA Lahore found that prescribed measures were not being adequately implemented at several ongoing development projects. The agency specifically stressed routine water sprinkling, proper covering of vehicles transporting construction materials and installation of on-site dust-containment barriers. It also proposed that compliance with dust-control SOPs be incorporated into the terms and conditions for project approvals and execution, making environmental compliance an integral requirement for construction activities. The EPA has further sought nomination of focal persons from relevant departments to coordinate with the agency on implementation and compliance. Meanwhile, enforcement operations against major sources of air pollution have also been intensified. From September 1 to 7, the EPA Punjab inspected 1, 867 brick kilns across the province, demolishing 33, sealing 34 and registering 23 cases, while imposing fines of Rs3. 55 million. During the same period, 1, 037 industrial units were inspected. Fifty-nine units were sealed, eight cases registered and fines amounting to Rs5. 41 million imposed. The crackdown against illegal plastic also continued, with 1, 290 inspections resulting in the seizure of 8, 513 kilograms of plastic and sealing of 101 premises. Action against fugitive dust included visits to 40 union councils, issuance of 27 notices and sealing of 11 sites. On September 7 alone, authorities inspected 395 brick kilns, 235 industrial units and 183 plastic-related units. In a separate operation against illegal plastic, 1, 338 kilograms were confiscated, 29 premises sealed and fines of Rs167, 000 imposed. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said continuous monitoring and strict enforcement by EPA Punjab had expanded the scope of action against sources of air pollution. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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