A devastating fire broke out in a brick kiln in Pakorkona, Kamrup, on March 28, following a gas cylinder explosion inside the workers' dormitory. The incident left 14 people, including women and an infant, with severe burn injuries. One person is feared dead, raising concerns that the casualty count may rise. This tragedy once again highlights the hazardous conditions of brick kilns in Assam, where safety measures are often neglected. Burnt clay bricks are widely used in Assam’s construction industry due to their durability and comfort. However, traditional brick production methods are highly polluting and dangerous. To address these risks, the Pollution Control Board directed all brick kilns to adopt Zig-Zag technology, which improves combustion efficiency by changing brick stacking patterns and airflow, reducing coal consumption by 20% while lowering emissions.
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Brick kilns located near Assam’s non-attainment cities were required to transition to Zig-Zag technology by February 2024, with the rest of the state following by February 2025. However, enforcement has been weak, and many kilns continue to operate using outdated, hazardous methods. Authorities have yet to take strict action despite repeated warnings. The recent fire underscores the urgent need for stringent safety regulations and environmental accountability in the industry. Workers remain vulnerable to such preventable disasters, and without immediate intervention, more lives will be lost. The government must ensure that all brick kilns transition to safer, eco-friendly technology without further delay. This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call—inaction is no longer an option.
