NGT takes serious note of pollution by brick kilns in NCR

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today expressed serious view of the pollution caused by brick kilns in the National Capital Region (NCR) and warned that these would be shut down if the need arises.

The Tribunal directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit by March 17 the report on air quality data of brick kiln industry areas for March – June 2019.

“Argument cannot be placed on the basis that other industries which are polluting the environment are running, hence you should be allowed too. Time has come to stop every project,” said an NGT Bench, headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.

Holding that ‘right to breathe’ is a fundamental right, the court said, “According to air quality norms PM 2.5 and PM 10 affect humans directly and other inhabitants. We are concerned about the public health at large and environment as well.”

It went on to add, “In other countries they are protecting public health and on that note we cannot allow you to function as we have to look after right to life and breathe as well. So if it gets worse in any area, all reasons will be counted and if needed then every industry will be shut.”

Brick kilns will only be permitted “if air quality of the area is within the permissible limits”, it said.

The bench made the observations after brick kiln owners from Haryana’s Palwal and Rajasthan’s Alwar said they should be allowed to operate as PM2.5 and PM10 in their areas was within permissible limit.

The ban on activities except kilns was lifted in December last year. Thereafter, kilns owners approached the NGT seeking permission to resume operations.

Meanwhile, petitioners from Gautam Budh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh told the court that at their kilns they have adopted the ‘zig zag technology’ to combat air pollution and hence should be allowed to function.

The court said many brick kiln owners are claiming to have adopted the new technology, “but they are functioning the old way only. They are only misleading us.”