…for brick kilns to check pollution in Indo-Gangetic plain
The Union environment ministry has proposed an amendment that seeks to lay down a uniform emission standard for particulate matter of 250 milligrams per cubic metre (mg/Nm3) for all brick kilns across the country as part of its efforts to lower air pollution.
Under the current regulations, the standard ranges from 250-1200 mg/Nm3 depending on the technology and the size of particulate matter.
Brick kilns contribute significantly to particulate matter pollution in the Indo-Gangetic plain, which has the highest concentration of brick kilns. Brick kilns are found clustered around big metros like Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kanpur and Patna feeding a construction boom.
Experts, however, said lowering the standard to 250 mg/Nm3 for all kilns is a good step, but more has to be done.