SEPA Cracks Down on Polluted Vehicles, Over Rs700,000 fined

SEPA Cracks Down on Polluted Vehicles, Over Rs700,000 fined

KARACHI – The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has released a comprehensive provincial report detailing the impactful activities of its Vehicular Emission Control Program (VECOP) from November 2024 to March 2025, revealing a sustained effort to combat air pollution.

Over the five-month period, the EPA rigorously inspected 1,578 vehicles, with a commendable 1,222 passing the stringent environmental standards. However, 356 vehicles were found to be non-compliant, underscoring the persistent challenge of vehicular emissions.

The monthly breakdown of inspections highlighted consistent activity, with November 2024 seeing 351 inspections and March 2025 concluding with 208. The EPA's proactive approach resulted in the issuance of a cumulative challan amount of PKR 706,140.0 to vehicles failing emission standards.

A breakdown of the monthly activities reveals the following:
In November 2024, 351 vehicles were inspected, with 252 passing and 99 failing. The total challan amount issued during this month was PKR 199,980.

December 2024 saw 407 inspections, resulting in 312 passing and 95 failing. The total challan amount for December was PKR 198,620.

During January 2025, 345 vehicles were inspected. 261 vehicles passed, and 84 failed, with a total challan amount of PKR 169,680.

In February 2025, 267 vehicles underwent inspection. 218 vehicles passed, while 49 failed, leading to a total challan amount of PKR 98,980.

The inspections concluded in March 2025 with 208 vehicles inspected. 179 vehicles passed, and 29 failed, and the total challan amount recorded was PKR 38,880.

This significant figure reflects the agency's commitment to enforcing regulations and holding polluters accountable. The report emphasizes the EPA's unwavering dedication to monitoring and controlling vehicular emissions across Sindh, ultimately striving for improved air quality and a healthier environment for all residents.

The data presented demonstrates a clear and consistent effort in identifying and addressing non-compliant vehicles, reinforcing the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and adherence to environmental standards.