PSCA uses drones to monitor smog

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has stepped up its province-wide anti-smog operation, deploying advanced drone surveillance and leveraging real-time coordination between multiple government departments to combat worsening air pollution. A PSCA spokesperson said Smart Safe City Centers established in several districts are working in close collaboration with the Environment Department, District Administration, and Traffic Police to curb smog-causing activities through joint enforcement actions.

To bolster preventive measures, PSCA has begun using state-of-the-art drone cameras for continuous monitoring of industrial zones, farmlands, and urban areas. These drones are actively identifying factories, brick kilns, and agricultural fields involved in pollution-causing activities, including the burning of crop residues. Real-time alerts generated by the Safe City surveillance system enable immediate action by relevant authorities. During the past 24 hours alone, the surveillance network detected more than 460 smog-related violations across Punjab. The crackdown also led to action against smoke-emitting vehicles.

The spokesperson said that PSCA's integrated camera network and analytical tools are ensuring round-the-clock monitoring of smog-producing elements.