Punjab launches early anti-smog crackdown

Punjab launches early anti-smog crackdown

Punjab has launched a province-wide campaign to curb major sources of air pollution ahead of the winter smog season, targeting brick kilns, industrial units, plastic manufacturers, construction sites and smoke-emitting vehicles.

The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is focusing on early action to control emissions before pollution levels rise during the colder months. Regional teams will step up inspections, enforce environmental laws and ensure the use of pollution-control equipment across the province.

The EPA reviewed its anti-smog preparations at a meeting chaired by Director General Syed Musa Raza. Directors from EPA offices and regional field officers assessed district-level readiness, enforcement targets and monitoring systems. The DG directed field teams to accelerate inspections and take strict action against environmental violations.

The agency has also increased monitoring of construction sites, where dust contributes significantly to particulate pollution. Officials inspected fog cannon operations and instructed major construction sites to keep anti-smog equipment running. They also directed teams to activate fog cannons and mist sprinklers in areas where particulate pollution rises and the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds permissible limits.

Industrial units must keep their emission-control and filtration systems fully operational throughout the pre-smog period. The EPA warned that factories that bypass pollution-control systems could face sealing, prosecution and financial penalties.

Special enforcement teams will also check heavy transport vehicles at major city entry and exit points. Officials will conduct emissions tests and take legal action against vehicles that exceed prescribed limits.

EPA enforcement figures from January 1 to July 25, 2026, show the scale of the campaign. Teams inspected 45,736 brick kilns across Punjab, demolished 777 illegal structures, sealed 419 units, registered 762 FIRs and imposed fines worth Rs67.76 million.

The agency also inspected 27,384 industrial units during the period. Authorities sealed 694 facilities, demolished 272 structures, registered 175 FIRs and imposed fines totaling Rs123 million over environmental violations.