The Punjab Environment Department has banned dry sweeping on public roads and major highways, directing that water must be sprayed before any sweeping takes place. The move aims to reduce dust pollution, a major contributor to smog in the province.
According to a notification issued by Director General Imran Hamid, dry sweeping causes dust to linger in the air for hours, worsening air quality and fueling smog. The new rules also ban the use of lime powder for cleaning public spaces.
The notification states that sweeping roads without water spray pollutes the air with dust and dirt. This season, all road cleaning must be done with water spraying first, and the use of lime powder for cleaning is strictly prohibited.
The Environment Department has instructed all relevant authorities to enforce these measures on public roads and key locations across Punjab. The goal is to protect public health and improve air quality as smog season intensifies.