The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has classified brick manufacturing as a highly resource-intensive and polluting industry due to outdated production methods
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A devastating fire recently broke out in a brick kiln in Pakorkona, Kamrup, after a gas cylinder explosion inside the workers' dormitory. The incident left 14 people, including women and an infant, with severe burn injuries, while one person lost his life. This tragedy has once again highlighted the hazardous working conditions in Assam's brick kilns, where safety regulations are often ignored.
Despite this alarming situation, the central government has issued a new notification extending the deadline for Assam's brick kilns to adopt safer and more environmentally friendly technology. Originally, brick kilns located near Assam’s non-attainment cities were required to switch to Zig-Zag technology by February 2024, while the rest of the state was expected to comply by February 2025. However, this deadline has now been pushed to June 2026, raising concerns about continued environmental degradation and worker safety.
According to Gokul Bhuyan, Member Secretary of the Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA), the original directive mandated all brick kilns to transition to Zig-Zag technology, vertical shaft kilns, or use piped natural gas as fuel by February 2024 for kilns within a 10 km radius of non-attainment cities, and by February 2025 for the rest. However, a fresh notification issued on January 22, 2025, has extended the compliance deadline until June 30, 2026, for kilns located outside the 10 km radius of non-attainment cities.
Bhuyan stated that all existing brick kilns in Assam must adhere to the new directive within the stipulated time frame, warning that closure notices would be issued to non-compliant kiln owners. While some kilns have adopted the Zig-Zag technology, many have yet to make the transition, and a comprehensive survey is planned after June 2026 to assess compliance. However, no proper survey has been conducted so far, leading to speculation that authorities were aware that the deadline would be extended.
Burnt clay bricks remain the primary construction material in Assam due to their durability and cost-effectiveness. Despite the introduction of alternative building materials such as concrete blocks, fly ash bricks, and stone concrete, burnt clay bricks continue to dominate the market. Assam's traditional brick-making process relies on alluvial clay, with 1,000 bricks requiring approximately four tonnes of clay, 0.2 tonnes of coal, and up to four kiloliters of water. The process involves sun-drying bricks for ten days before they are fired in kilns, which are then sealed to retain heat for about a week. The bricks are sorted based on colour, an indicator of the burning level.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has classified brick manufacturing as a highly resource-intensive and polluting industry due to outdated production methods. Brick kilns contribute significantly to local air pollution, affecting agriculture, vegetation, and human health. Additionally, they play a role in global climate change. Traditional kilns require vast land areas and deplete topsoil. Land near kilns is often subjected to high temperatures, rendering it unsuitable for agricultural use after abandonment. The industry also consumes thousands of tonnes of coal and biomass fuel, with energy costs accounting for 30-35% of production expenses.
Brick kilns emit several harmful pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Moreover, they generate significant amounts of bottom ash as residue. The PCBA has acknowledged these environmental threats, with a senior official stating that brick kilns are a major source of pollution in Assam. The official, speaking anonymously to GPlus, emphasized that the industry must transition to cleaner production methods.
Zig-Zag technology has been identified as a viable solution. Unlike traditional straight-line stacking, this method arranges bricks in a zig-zag pattern, improving insulation and airflow. This process enhances combustion efficiency, reducing coal consumption by up to 20%. In Assam, kilns in non-attainment cities were initially expected to adopt this technology by February 2024, while others had until February 2025. However, with the recent extension, compliance is now required by June 2026.
A source in the Pollution Control Board revealed that even in non-attainment cities, many brick kilns have not yet adopted Zig-Zag technology. The lack of a proper survey means authorities have no clear picture of the current status. Assam's five non-attainment cities—Guwahati, Nagaon, Silchar, Sivasagar, and Nalbari—have been identified by the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) as having pollution levels exceeding recommended air quality standards.
While the shift to Zig-Zag technology is necessary, brick kiln owners face financial and logistical challenges. A kiln owner in Silchar explained that while they recognize the importance of adopting the new technology, the transition is expensive. Additionally, brick production is seasonal, occurring mainly in winter. A manager at a brick kiln in Dhekeri Hills, Mandakata, confirmed that they had received the government notification and were making plans to upgrade their production methods but needed financial support.
Meanwhile, revenue collection from Assam's brick kilns under the Assam Mineral Concession Rule, 2013, has declined significantly. In 2018-19, the state collected Rs 3.07 crore from brick kilns, but this figure dropped to Rs 1.32 crore in 2019-20 (up to January), excluding Sixth Schedule areas. As of 2020, there were 669 brick kilns in Assam, though many have ceased operations for various reasons, according to a forest department source.
In 2022, at least eight illegal brick kilns in Lower Assam’s Kamrup district were demolished for operating without proper authorization. Despite occasional crackdowns, enforcement remains weak, and many kilns continue using outdated and hazardous methods with little oversight.
The recent fire in Kamrup underscores the urgent need for stricter safety regulations and better enforcement of environmental policies. Brick kiln workers remain at high risk of preventable disasters, and without immediate intervention, more lives could be lost. Authorities must act decisively to ensure that all brick kilns transition to safer and eco-friendly technology without further delays.
This tragedy serves as a stark warning. The government must prioritize worker safety and environmental responsibility over industrial convenience. Delayed action will only exacerbate the risks—both to human lives and to Assam’s fragile environment.