Lahore: The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has stepped up its round-the-clock surveillance against pollution sources, deploying special night squads and drones to track violators and monitor stubble-burning hotspots in districts along major motorway corridors during the past 24 hours.
The operation is being conducted as part of the province’s pre-smog preparations, with night teams keeping watch over suspected stubble-burning areas while drone surveillance is being used to identify pollution sources and pinpoint the locations of violators. Once a source is identified, field enforcement teams are being dispatched to take action.
DG EPA Punjab Abdullah Nayyer Sheikh has directed field formations to maintain close surveillance of pollution sources and ensure prompt action against violations. The strategy combines night-time monitoring, drone technology and ground enforcement to detect activities that could add to Punjab’s pollution burden during the smog season.
During the past 24 hours, EPA teams inspected 431 brick kilns across Punjab. Five kilns were demolished, nine sealed and nine FIRs registered, while fines totalling Rs1.4 million were imposed.
The crackdown on industrial pollution also remained active, with 269 industrial units inspected. Eleven units were sealed, one FIR was registered and Rs1.23 million in fines were imposed.
The department also conducted 309 inspections against plastic-related violations. Seventeen sites were sealed and 1,297 kilogrammes of plastic confiscated, while Rs148,000 in fines were imposed. Lahore alone accounted for 39 inspections, 15 sealing actions, 30kg of plastic confiscated and Rs60,000 in fines.
Construction-related fugitive dust was also targeted, with 17 sites inspected, one sealed and two other enforcement actions recorded. Fines of Rs20,000 were imposed.
The EPA further continued inspections of establishments for compliance with suction-hood requirements. Across Punjab, 245 inspections resulted in 34 seals and 55 suction-hood-related enforcement actions, with Rs211,500 in fines imposed. Lahore accounted for 24 inspections, nine seals, two suction-hood actions and Rs135,000 in fines.
Abdullah Sheikh has stressed the need for continuous monitoring and swift field response against pollution sources as the province approaches the critical smog period. The use of drone surveillance and special night squads is intended to extend enforcement beyond routine daytime inspections.