Guwahati: The Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA) and the Kamrup District administration jointly organized an awareness camp at Chamaria Satra premises, under Chamaria Revenue Circle in Boko on Saturday. The camp focused on brick kilns and the government’s new laws governing their establishment.
Villagers from various areas within the Chamaria Revenue Circle attended the event. According to Dr. Shantanu Dutta, Member Secretary of the PCBA, the camp was organized in response to a written complaint concerning the establishment of brick kilns near Chamaria Satra, the Kalahi River, and nearby paddy fields. The event included public hearings to address concerns raised by the locals.
Dr. Arup Kr. Misra, Chairman of the PCBA, presided over the meeting and outlined the government’s new regulations aimed at reducing pollution from brick kilns. He emphasized that starting in February 2025, no illegal or ‘Banglabhata’ brick kilns will be allowed to operate in the state. The government has implemented new guidelines for all brick manufacturers to follow from 2025.
Dr. Dutta elaborated on the 2022 government notification, explaining that all new brick kilns must adopt either zig-zag technology, vertical shafts, or Piped Natural Gas as fuel sources. Existing brick kilns that do not comply with these technologies will be required to do so within one year if located within 10 kilometers of non-attainment cities, or within two years for other areas. Additionally, brick kilns will be required to install permanent emission monitoring facilities as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards.
Regarding the location of new brick kilns, Dutta highlighted that they must be situated at least 0.8 kilometers from habitation and fruit orchards. Furthermore, brick kilns should be established at a minimum distance of one kilometer from each other to avoid clustering, with state pollution control boards having the authority to enforce stricter criteria depending on local conditions.
During the public hearing, Lakhyadhar Kalita from Kahibari village expressed concerns about a newly constructed brick kiln in a paddy field near Chamaria Satra and the Kalahi River. He noted that farmers, who cultivate mustard and paddy in the area, had submitted a written complaint to various authorities, including the Assam Chief Minister. As a result, construction of the kiln has been halted. Kalita urged the authorities to ensure the brick kiln does not resume operations, citing potential harm to the environment, local agriculture, and aquatic life.
Similarly, Hitesh Choudhury from Puthimari village raised the issue of more than 10 illegal brick kilns near the Kalahi River. He claimed that these kilns have caused significant air pollution, particularly affecting children, and have polluted the river, impacting aquatic species such as fish and the rare river dolphin. Choudhury called for urgent action from the authorities.
However, not all attendees were opposed to the brick kilns. Nigoma Adhikary, the Satradhikar of Chamaria Satra, along with some others, voiced no objections to the brick kiln near the Satra as long as it adheres to government regulations. They emphasized that bricks are essential for local development projects, including home construction.
In contrast, some anonymous residents of the Chamaria Satra area were firmly opposed to any brick kiln near the Satra, citing its importance as both a religious site and a tourist destination. They also emphasized the environmental importance of protecting the area’s river dolphins and maintaining the natural beauty of the region.
Chakradhar Kalita, a retired head teacher from Chamaria village, echoed these concerns, urging the administration and the PCBA to prioritize the preservation of the environment, local agriculture, and the cultural significance of Chamaria Satra.
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Most attendees expressed strong opposition to the establishment of brick kilns in the area and questioned why the authorities had organized hearings after the government had already ordered the closure of Lalchand Ali’s brick kiln site. Many now plan to submit a memorandum to the Assam Chief Minister, demanding the permanent cessation of new brick kilns and the removal of illegal ones from the Chamaria area.
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