No operations without technology in Srinagar, Jammu from Feb
Step aimed at reducing emissions of gaseous pollutants
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Jan 3: All the 560 brick kilns in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be converted to Supreme Court approved Zig-Zag technology by February 2025 while as within 10 kilometer radius of Non-Attainment Cities of Jammu and Srinagar, brick kilns without this technology will not be permitted to operate beyond February this year.
The adoption of this technology in the brick kiln industry will help in reducing the harmful emission of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants while improving the sector’s efficiency, reducing costs for owners and protecting workers.
This has been revealed in a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal by K Ramesh Kumar, Member Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee in compliance to the Tribunal’s order darted October 5, 2023 in Original Application No.594/2022. The Tribunal had sought information from J&K Pollution Control Committee regarding status of compliance with environmental norms by all brick kilns in Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
In the report dated January 2, 2024, the Member Secretary Pollution Control Committee has submitted that a total of 560 brick kilns are existing in Jammu and Kashmir and out of this, 415 brick kilns have obtained/applied for consent from J&K Pollution Control Committee. “A total of 201 brick kilns have been converted to Zig-Zag technology as on December 31, 2023 and directions have been issued for the closure of 125 brick kilns for violation during the calendar year 2023”, the report said.
“In compliance to High Court of J&K orders issued from time to time, brick kilns within eight kilometers radius of Srinagar Airport runway are not permitted to function from November 1 to March 31 and 85 non complying brick kilns have been ordered to be closed by the J&K Pollution Control Committee in district Budgam and the closure orders are being implemented by the District Administration”, the Member Secretary said.
Stating that no new brick kiln in Budgam district has been accorded consent to establish by J&K Pollution Control Committee till further directions from NGT, the Member Secretary has informed the Tribunal that J&K Pollution Control Committee is in the process of compiling the latest status of all brick kilns in UT of Jammu & Kashmir.
“Based on the status, several actions are contemplated over the next three months”, he said while disclosing that directions under Air Act 1981 will be issued to shut down the operation of such brick kilns that do not have a valid consent.
In 10 kilometer radius of Non-Attainment Cities of Jammu/Srinagar, brick kilns without Zig-Zag technology shall not be permitted to operate beyond February 2024 while as in rest of the areas (other than Non-attainment Cities) the brick kilns will be directed to convert to Zig-Zag Technology by or before February 2025.
It is pertinent to mention here that Union Environment Ministry has already made it mandatory for the existing brick-kilns to convert to the eco-friendly Zig-Zag technology, which has also been approved by the Apex Court of the country.
The new brick kilns have been mandated to use piped natural gas (PNG) as fuel in the brick-making process while the existing one have been allowed to use only approved fuel such as coal, fire wood and/or agricultural residues besides PNG. Zig-Zag technology—stacking the bricks in a Zig Zag pattern instead of straight line, reduces coal consumption and produces cost-efficient, better quality bricks with significantly lower emissions.
The Member Secretary also informed the National Green Tribunal that the operation of brick kilns in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir is being regulated by the J&K Pollution Control Committee as per the provisions laid out in the legal enactments and guidelines issued by the Government of J&K from time to time.
These are guidelines for regulations of brick kilns 2010; Jammu and Kashmir Brick Kilns (Regulation) Act 2010; Jammu and Kashmir Brick Kilns (Regulation) Rules, 2017; Operational Guidelines for Brick Kilns in J&K, 2021; Environment (Protection) Amendment Rules, 2022 and Environment (Protection) Sixth Amendments Rules, 2023.
“Keeping all these provisions in mind, the J&K Pollution Control Committee considers and accords consent to establish, consent to operate (fresh) and consent to operate (renewal) to the brick kilns, and license for the brick kilns are being issued by the concerned District Magistrates”, the report said.
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