From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Union Environment Ministry on February 22 issued a gazette notification, mandating the existing brick kilns to convert within two years to the new high-tech eco-friendly zigzag technology or vertical shaft and asked the state governments to approve only those structure that follow this technology.Also the new brick kilns are mandated to us piped natural gas (PNG) as fuel, while the existing ones will use only approved fuel, such as coal, firewood or agricultural residues. Use of pet coke, tyres, plastics, hazardous waste shall not be allowed in the brick kilns as per the notification that come into force with immediate effect.
NEW DELHI: The Union Environment Ministry on February 22 issued a gazette notification, mandating the existing brick kilns to convert within two years to the new high-tech eco-friendly zigzag technology or vertical shaft and asked the state governments to approve only those structure that follow this technology.Also the new brick kilns are mandated to us piped natural gas (PNG) as fuel, while the existing ones will use only approved fuel, such as coal, firewood or agricultural residues. Use of pet coke, tyres, plastics, hazardous waste shall not be allowed in the brick kilns as per the notification that come into force with immediate effect.
Presently, most of the brick kilns use fixed Chimney Bulls Trench Kiln that emits black soot, causing heavy air pollution. They layer the bricks in a straight pattern, while the new technology opts for zig-zag pattern to allow efficient manouevre of air for heating purposes.
The notification, Environmnt (Protection) Amendment Rules, 2022, also requires the brick kilns to be set up at a minimum distance of 0.8 km from habitations and fruit orchards. They should also be at a minimum distance of 1 km from each other. The ash generated in them will be fully used in-house in making the bricks.
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