Brick kilns in Haryana’s non-NCR districts will now be required to co-fire paddy-straw-based biomass pellets along with coal, as part of a major push by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to curb stubble burning and promote cleaner fuel.

In an official directive issued to district authorities, the Board said it aims to transition brick kilns to cleaner fuel usage over the next three years, starting this season. “The brick kilns will be required to use at least 20 per cent biomass pellets, with the proportion gradually increasing to 50 per cent by November 2028,” the letter stated. The decision was approved during a state-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary on November 7.

The HSPCB has instructed field officials to ensure strict monitoring of compliance, maintain detailed fuel usage records, and take enforcement action against any violators. Officials noted that the initiative will help utilise locally available crop residue, reduce the cost of stubble management and potentially lower operating expenses for kiln owners.

The directive will apply to around 204 brick kilns in Hisar and more than 1,000 kilns across non-NCR districts of Haryana.

To ensure transparency, the Board has mandated joint monitoring by the Food and Supplies Department and the Pollution Control Board, which will verify both the type and quantity of fuel used. Non-compliant units may face licence suspension or monetary penalties. The official added that a similar policy is already in place in state thermal power plants, where co-firing of paddy biomass pellets has begun at 10 per cent and is planned to reach 20 per cent.

District Food and Supplies Officer (DFSO) Hisar, Amit Shekhawat, said the district currently has eight agencies engaged in pellet manufacturing, with similar facilities operating in other districts as well. He confirmed that directions regarding the use of biomass pellets have been communicated to brick kiln operators.