Riyadh cracks down on construction dust with SR20 million in fines
RIYADH — The National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) said that it’s officials have intensified inspection and monitoring tours of project sites to control dust generated by construction work in the capital city of Riyadh. Fines totaling SR20 million are being imposed on construction projects causing dust pollution. The initiative aims to mitigate the impact of these projects and improve air quality throughout the capital.Fawaz Al-Mujthil, director of Riyadh branch of NCEC, said that the inspection tours are being conducted in cooperation with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Riyadh Mayoralty, following the announcement of the specific procedures outlined in the procedural guide published last February.He stated that monitoring teams are working to identify violations and verify their correction before taking legal action against non-compliant projects. He pointed out that construction projects are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring continuous follow-up and monitoring and addressing dust sources from construction work at all times. The system also provides monitoring data that contributes to improving the efficiency of monitoring and analysis and directing inspection efforts toward the most impactful sites and sources.The air quality monitoring system includes 12 fixed stations distributed throughout the Riyadh region, in addition to four mobile stations, which monitor and analyze 22 air quality components. This enables the monitoring of pollution levels, detection of any violations of approved standards, and the implementation of necessary measures.The stations were redistributed based on their proximity to major construction projects such as Diriyah Gate and Al-Murabba Project.