The National Green Tribunal today reserved the order on a plea seeking shutting down of brick kilns in the National Capital Region.
The plea states that 10% of the air pollution in the city is due to the operation of brick kilns.
A bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel, SP Wangdi observed that as per the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) report, we have the worst quality of air in the world and can’t afford to deteriorate more than this, especially not on the cost of human life.
The plea contended that air pollution level in the NCR has reached unprecedented levels and while there are other factors which may be separately dealt with, 7000 brick kilns in NCR are contributing to the air pollution.
The plea asked the court to direct the closure of such kilns during peak period of pollution, giving effect to the right to breathe fresh air.
The petitioner also contended that Brick kilns except for those operating on the zig-zag technology have been prohibited by EPCA.