Faisalabad: the air your breathe is poisoning you

The commissioner ordered officials to ensure that construction material at ongoing development project sites was also properly covered, leaving no room for violations. He called for double-checking the installation of suction hoods at barbecue outlets, directing authorities to close establishments found operating without the required equipment.

He also ordered the formation of night inspection teams to monitor compliance and take action against violators. He directed the relevant departments to ensure regular water sprinkling on roads to minimise the effects of smog and eliminate other sources of air pollution.

The Agriculture and Revenue departments were instructed to monitor fields continuously and prevent the burning of crop residues. The commissioner also directed the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to seal industrial units emitting toxic smoke or violating environmental standard operating procedures, with monitoring to continue round the clock.

During the meeting, Deputy Director Environment Tahir Abbas Syial said the EPA had intensified inspections and enforcement operations against industrial units, brick kilns, suction hood violations, stubble burning, open waste burning, construction sites, vehicle emissions and the use of single-use plastics. He said the industrial sector was a major contributor to smog-related pollution.

The EPA had conducted 812 inspections of industrial units over the past one and a half months, identifying 79 violations and imposing fines of Rs6.8 million. Five units were sealed, an FIR was registered against one unit and another was demolished.

The department also issued 375 seven-day notices to industrial owners and obtained camera access to 267 units. Regarding brick kilns, Syial said 839 inspections had been conducted, resulting in the identification of 56 violations.