Time to lighten up, say brick-kiln owners

Ravinder Saini 

Bricks in Haryana will soon be lighter, more colourful and better designed.

The Haryana Industries and Commerce Department is conducting research on ways to make bricks lighter and more durable. Brick-kiln operators in Jhajjar district will assist the department in research and preparation of a detailed project report (DPR).

The development came after a recent meeting of the Jhajjar Brick Kiln Owners’ Association (BKOA) members with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

The largest brick producing district in the state, Jhajjar has 371 kilns employing more than 70,000 skilled and unskilled workers directly and indirectly. Bricks manufactured here are supplied in Delhi and NCR region.

Most Jhajjar kilns have also adopted the ‘Zig-Zag Induced Draft Technology’ on the directions of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi and Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control)  Authority (EPCA) to minimise air emissions. Now, the new bricks can bring about another major change.

“We are focusing on cutting the cost of bricks and on producing better designed, colourful and glazed bricks. We want to reduce the weight of the bricks. At present, a brick weighs 3 kg. This can be decreased by almost half without compromising on the size, strength and shape. Some other light-weight material will have to be added to the clay,” says Satpal Deswal, president, BKOA.

According to Deswal, the new bricks will be more aesthetically appealing and economical than regular bricks as they will reduce the cost of plaster and painting. But, he said, since more research was needed, they asked CM Khattar to set up a government-funded research agency with the participation of brick-kiln owners.

“The Chief Minister has accepted our demand. The Haryana Industries and Commerce Department will carry out research work for the growth of the brick industry. We have also urged him to provide 24x7 power supply to the kilns. Electricity is needed to operate induced fans after the conversion of traditional brick kilns to induced draught zig-zag setting ones. The new technology has improved production of quality bricks to 82 per cent from 70 per cent. But diesel engines are used to run the fan at present, which is expensive,” Deswal explained.

As per new guidelines of the UHBVN, a dedicated feeder can be provided for a minimum load of 150 KW but load requirement in the kilns is between 15 KW and 30 KW, said Deswal, adding that this is why they have urged the CM to ensure 24x7 power supply at the minimum required load of 15 KW or more. The CM assured that officers of the power department would be asked to consider the independent feeder scheme.

Working on cutting the cost of bricks

We are focusing on cutting the cost of bricks and on producing better designed, colourful and glazed bricks. A brick weighs 3 kg. This can be decreased by half without compromising on  the size, strength and shape. — Satpal Deswal, President, BKOA