MAKEOVER: Conversion of brick kilns in Delhi-NCR to a cleaner technology

July 05, 2018

The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is facing a severe air pollution problem. The issue is not only confined to the National Capital Territory (NCT) but is dogging all the 22 districts of the NCR. Hence, it calls for a coordinated response to combat pollution and its adverse effects on the health of the people living in these areas.

In order to find a long-term solution to this issue, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) had asked the NCR states (Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan) to work on a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to reduce pollution emanating from different sources. Vehicles, household fuel and waste burning, coal-fired power plants, and industrial activities have been identified as the major sources of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The contribution from brick kilns is also significant and the brick-making sector has been identified as one of the key sources of air pollution in the region.