Punjab EPA Deploys Night Teams and Drones Ahead of Smog Season
LAHORE: The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has expanded its monitoring operations ahead of the smog season, deploying special night teams and drones to identify pollution sources and monitor suspected crop-residue burning areas.
The latest operation covers districts located along major motorway routes. According to the EPA, night squads are monitoring areas where stubble burning is suspected, while drones are being used to identify pollution sources and locate potential violations.
Once a suspected violation is detected, ground teams are sent to the location for further inspection and enforcement action.
Punjab EPA Director General Abdullah Nayyer Sheikh has instructed field teams to maintain continuous surveillance and take action against activities that contribute to air pollution.
431 brick kilns inspected
During the past 24 hours, EPA teams inspected 431 brick kilns across Punjab.
Officials demolished five kilns, sealed nine others and registered nine FIRs. Authorities also imposed fines amounting to Rs1.4 million during the inspections.
The EPA also continued its crackdown on industrial pollution. Officials inspected 269 industrial units, sealing 11 facilities and registering one FIR. Fines of Rs1.23 million were imposed on violators.
Plastic violations also targeted
The department conducted 309 inspections related to plastic regulations across the province. Seventeen locations were sealed, while officials confiscated 1,297 kilograms of plastic.
Fines of Rs148,000 were imposed in these cases.
In Lahore, EPA teams carried out 39 inspections, sealed 15 sites and confiscated 30kg of plastic. Officials also imposed fines totalling Rs60,000.
Construction dust under surveillance
The EPA also inspected construction sites to control fugitive dust, which can contribute to poor air quality.
Officials inspected 17 sites, sealed one location and carried out two additional enforcement actions. Fines amounting to Rs20,000 were imposed.
Suction hood inspections continue
The agency also continued checking businesses for compliance with requirements related to suction hoods.
Across Punjab, officials conducted 245 inspections, resulting in 34 closures and 55 enforcement actions related to suction-hood requirements. Fines totalling Rs211,500 were imposed.
In Lahore, 24 inspections were carried out, with nine sites sealed and two suction-hood-related enforcement actions recorded. Fines of Rs135,000 were also imposed.
The EPA said its combination of night surveillance, drone monitoring and field inspections is part of Punjab’s preparations to control pollution sources before and during the upcoming smog season.
