BERHAMPUR: Ganjam district administration on Friday demolished four brick kiln units in Aska tehsil for allegedly operating illegally in violation of different norms, including environment and pollution.
The illegal brick kiln units located in three villages, including Alipur (2 units) and one unit each in Rishipur and Karatali revenue circles, said Sangeeta Sen, Aska tehsildar. The quantity of destroyed bricks and other materials was worth Rs 5 lakh, she said.
Police, fire personnel and revenue supervisors and inspectors were present during the drive. During the demolition, there was no obstacle from the owners’ side, she said.
Earlier, we issued show cause notices to the brick kiln owners. Steps to demolish the illegal kilns were taken as they did not give proper reply. Last year, they have also imposed fines on the kiln owners, she said.
Several kiln owners were illegally making bricks in the villages during summer without taking permission from the administration. While they have razed four illegal brick kilns with bulldozers, they were also searching some other kilns operating in the area illegally.
She said no brick kiln would be allowed to operate illegally and without environmental clearance from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) in the tehsil area, said Sen.
Local people have earlier alleged the brick kilns were using firewood, causing massive air pollution. The kilns also pose a threat to agricultural land, local forests and bio-diversity. The toxic smoke emanating from the kilns causes respiratory diseases among locals, they alleged.
Last year, around 25 brick kilns, operating illegally in different areas of Digapahandi tehsil had been destroyed by the district administration.
