EPD to enforce ban from Oct 25

The Environment Protection Department (EPD) has imposed a ban on the supply and delivery of overloaded building materials and uncovered vehicles to control smog. The ban will be implemented from October 25.

The building material included sand, gravel, clay, slag, and cement, effective October 25. The ban aims to control smog and targets overloaded and uncovered vehicles, specifically loader vehicles, trolley trucks, and other supply delivery trucks without covering properly.

Violators will face penalties like impounding of vehicles, imprisonment ranging from three to six months and fines of up to Rs250,000.

The EPD's Deputy Director has issued a directive to the loader and transport companies and contractors supplying building materials to fully cover their vehicles during transportation.

The measure aims to mitigate air pollution caused by strong winds blowing sand, gravel, soil, and dust from uncovered vehicles.

Transporters are urged to take immediate action to cover their loaders, ensuring compliance with the directive, the directive further says and warns an failure to do so will result in penalties.

This regulation will remain in effect until the smog season concludes. In a related move, the EPD has imposed an immediate ban on stone-crushing machines that extract oil by burning tyres.