Brick Kilns in J&K to adopt Zig-Zag technology by Feb 2025

Srinagar, Jan 20: In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, all 560 brick kilns in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are set to transition to the Supreme Court-approved Zig-Zag technology by February 2025.
The decision comes following a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by K Ramesh Kumar, Member Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, in compliance with the Tribunal’s order dated October 5, 2023.

The Zig-Zag technology, endorsed by the Supreme Court and mandated by the Union Environment Ministry, is expected to reduce harmful emissions of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants from brick kilns. This transition is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the sector, reducing costs for kiln owners, and ensuring the well-being of workers.
According to the report submitted on January 2, 2024, a total of 415 brick kilns in Jammu and Kashmir have obtained or applied for consent from the Pollution Control Committee. Notably, 201 kilns have already been converted to Zig-Zag technology as of December 31, 2023. The report further disclosed that 125 brick kilns have been directed for closure due to violations during the calendar year 2023.
In compliance with the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir’s orders, brick kilns within an eight-kilometre radius of the Srinagar Airport runway are not permitted to operate from November 1 to March 31. The report mentioned that 85 non-complying brick kilns in Budgam district have been ordered to be closed by the Pollution Control Committee, with the closure orders being implemented by the District Administration.
The Member Secretary informed the NGT that no new brick kiln in Budgam district has been granted consent to establish, and the committee is in the process of compiling the latest status of all brick kilns in the Union Territory. Actions are contemplated over the next three months based on this status, including issuing directions under the Air Act of 1981 to shut down operations of kilns without valid consent.
The NGT was also informed that in a 10-kilometer radius around the Non-Attainment Cities of Jammu and Srinagar, brick kilns without Zig-Zag technology will not be permitted to operate beyond February 2024. In other areas, kilns are directed to convert to Zig-Zag technology by or before February 2025.
The zigzag technology involves stacking bricks in a zigzag pattern, reducing coal consumption and producing cost-efficient, high-quality bricks with significantly lower emissions.
The NGT was assured that the operation of brick kilns in Jammu and Kashmir is being regulated by the Pollution Control Committee in adherence to legal enactments and guidelines issued by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
These regulations include guidelines for the regulation 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).