Punjab kicks off crackdown on unauthorised industrial units in residential areas

Senior Minister Punjab Maryam Aurangzeb chaired a high-level meeting on anti-smog here at Lahore during which the authorities agreed to undertake a massive crackdown against illicit industrial units being run in residential areas across the province.

As per the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who directed prompt action for removal of illegal industrial set-ups in residential areas of Lahore and other parts of the province and launch of enforcement operations, the meeting was held.

Illegal factories running in residential communities are a big source of environmental damage, officials said. It was also resolved to take action against illicit fat melting facilities and to move approved urban companies progressively to specialised industrial zones.

Meanwhile, the authorities said a detailed relocation plan has been prepared and all previously issued NOC for industrial units in residential areas are to be withdrawn with immediate effect. And authorities who approve such requests will also be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Industries involved in burning wire and plastic are considerably contributing to air pollution, along with marble carving, wood workshops and small-scale units, the meeting was told. It was discovered that fumes emitted from burning plastics may lead to respiratory ailments, lung damage and possibly cancer.

Lahore has discovered and mapped 5,206 illegal industrial units, of which 4,514 are within residential limits. These industries are categorised into five groups based on their environmental impact.

Out of them 306 units were extremely high pollution, 676 high pollution, 539 medium pollution, 2,925 low pollution and 760 very low pollution units.

Maryam Aurangzeb said industry relocation strategy has been separated into short, medium and long-term phases. Large enterprises would be allocated land in new industrial zones away from residential areas, with basic utilities like electricity, water and roads.

Industrialists would also be granted incentives such as subsidised land, easing for import of machinery and waste treatment facilities. A permanent implementation committee with officials from Environment, Local Government, Police, LDA, Industries and Revenue Departments has been constituted to oversee timeframes, reforms and grievance redressal.

The recommendations were drawn up for phased implementation following consultations with more than 50 stakeholders and 14 sessions, using foreign case studies and local experience, officials said.