Riyadh cracks down on construction dust with SR20 million in fines

The National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) in Saudi Arabia has launched a rigorous enforcement campaign to curb dust pollution originating from construction sites across Riyadh. According to the Saudi Gazette, the initiative involves intensified inspection tours and the imposition of fines totaling SR20 million on projects found to be in violation of environmental air quality standards.

Fawaz Al-Mujthil, director of the NCEC’s Riyadh branch, confirmed that these operations are being conducted in close coordination with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Riyadh Mayoralty. The enforcement follows specific procedural guidelines established in February, which mandate strict dust control measures for all active construction projects in the capital. Monitoring teams are currently operating on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week schedule to ensure compliance.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to improve urban air quality and mitigate the environmental impact of the city's rapid infrastructure development. Officials stated that the monitoring teams are tasked with identifying violations and providing project managers an opportunity to rectify issues before formal legal actions are initiated. The NCEC emphasized that maintaining environmental standards is a priority for the ongoing development of the capital.