WEB DESK: The Punjab government has decided to launch a comprehensive crackdown against illegal industrial units operating in residential areas of Lahore and other parts of the province, alongside a phased relocation plan aimed at curbing rising smog and air pollution.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting on anti-smog measures chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, who directed immediate action against all illegal units functioning within residential neighbourhoods.
Officials were also instructed to cancel all existing NOCs issued for such units and initiate departmental proceedings against those responsible for granting unlawful approvals.
The meeting was informed that industries such as plastic burning, fat melting, marble cutting, and woodwork units have significantly contributed to environmental degradation, posing serious risks to public health.
5,206 illegal industrial units mapped for relocation in Lahore
The minister emphasised that emissions from such units can cause respiratory illnesses and long-term diseases, including cancer.
A scientific mapping exercise has identified 5,206 illegal industrial units in Lahore, of which 4,514 are located in residential areas. These have been categorised into five groups based on their pollution levels, ranging from extremely high to very low emitters.
According to Officials, the relocation plan would be implemented in phases, with industries to be shifted to specialised industrial zones outside residential areas.
The government has pledged to provide land at concessional rates, along with essential infrastructure such as electricity, water, roads, and waste treatment facilities.
Phased relocation plan and enforcement mechanism
The meeting also approved the formation of a permanent implementation committee comprising representatives from the Environment Department, Local Government, Police, LDA, Industries Department, and the Board of Revenue. The committee will oversee timelines, legal reforms, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
According to officials, over 50 stakeholders were consulted and 14 consultative meetings were held to finalise the relocation strategy, which has been divided into short-, medium-, and long-term phases.
The minister stressed that the crackdown would be carried out without discrimination, warning that industrial pollution was severely affecting public health and quality of life. She said the objective of the initiative was to transform Punjab into a cleaner, safer, and environmentally sustainable province.
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