Brick kilns start operations sans latest technology

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 3

Even as the state government and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) are yet to take a decision on whether brick kilns with old technology should be allowed to operate in the region or not, many kilns with old technology have already started with the firing process in the furnace in an alleged illegal manner.

Many kilns on the Moga/Jagraon side here, which have still not switched over to the zig-zag technology, are being run, giving two hoots to the norms.

Talking to The Tribune, Sarabjit Singh Dhillon, a kiln owner, said it was uncalled for that the government was not taking any action against the kilns being run in an illegal manner.

“I had sent an application to the PPCB and others to allow me to run the kiln with old technology but it was rejected. Having no other option, I had to shell out lakhs to get the zig-zag technology to start with the kiln again. But now, many kiln owners, without changing to the new technology have started with the firing process and no one is stopping them. Should I have also opted for the illegal manner?” Dhillon said.

Voicing similar views, IS Walia, another kiln owner, said the case was not decided yet and there was confusion, but in earlier orders it was stated that kilns be started from February 1.

“There is no clarity whether kilns with old technology will be allowed or not. Without waiting for the formal announcement by the NGT and state government, many with old technology have started firing in the kilns. If this was to be allowed then why many owners spent lakhs to get the new technology?” Walia asked.

Meanwhile, the Secretary, Environment Department, Rakesh Verma, said the ball was in the court of the NGT and it had to take the final call on the issue.