Punjab to Monitor Fuel Quality to Combat Smog

In a decisive move to curb smog, the Punjab government has announced a province-wide initiative to monitor fuel quality at petrol stations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will lead this operation, ensuring that only standard fuel is available to reduce harmful emissions during the high-smog months of October to December.

This initiative is part of a broader environmental strategy under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Senior Minister Murriyum Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of this campaign, highlighting its role in fulfilling the government’s commitment to improving air quality.

The order to conduct these fuel checks was issued by EPA Director General Dr. Imran Hamid Shaikh on August 7, 2024, under the Environmental Protection Act, 1997.

The EPA’s operation will involve monthly inspections at petrol pumps across Punjab, with fuel samples tested in EPA laboratories to ensure they meet the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority’s (OGRA) standards. Any petrol station found selling substandard fuel will face strict legal action.

This fuel inspection initiative is part of a larger effort to address various sources of air pollution in the province, including industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust. The Punjab government continues its crackdown on smog-emitting vehicles, using advanced technology to enforce environmental regulations.