Punjab lags in zigzag kilns plan

Owners claim government did not provide technical, financial support

LAHORE:

A plan to convert brick kilns to zigzag technology in Punjab seems to be failing, with the owners alleging lack of support of government agencies.

So far, only 40 per cent of the kilns have been converted to zigzag technology. The kiln owners' association says government agencies have not fulfilled their promise of technical and financial support for the transition to zigzag technology.

On the other hand, Punjab Minister for Disaster Management Mian Khalid Mahmood said, “We are ready to inspect a kiln if its owner can introduce a more eco-friendly technology than zigzag.”

Until successful testing of a new technology is done, it is important to ensure compliance with the environmental commission's recommendations and court orders regarding adoption of the zigzag design, he added.

Kiln Owners Association Secretary General Meher Abdul Haq told The Express Tribune that they were working to convert the traditional kilns to zigzag but so far only 40% of them had been converted.

He further said that the main reason for the delay was that the owners of the kilns lacked economic resources required for the purpose and the promise of financial assistance had not been fulfilled.

He appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan and the chief ministers of all provinces to set the deadline of June 30, 2021 for conversion to zigzag technology of the kilns.

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) is merely ensuring the performance of its duties in operations against kilns emitting hazardous smoke, the leader of owners association said.

On the other hand, the disaster management minister said Punjab government was ensuring restoration of employment without compromise on health. “The shutting down of the kilns will not only affect the owners but also the business of millions of people connected with the construction industry and the daily wage workers.”

The provincial minister also met a delegation of kiln owners at the PDMA in this regard. Punjab Minister for Revenue Malik Anwar, PDMA Director General (DG) Raja Khurram Shehzad Umar and Environment DG Dr Khurram Shehzad were also present on the occasion.

The disaster management minister said controlling environmental pollution during the coronavirus pandemic was more important than ever. “The kiln owners should take a safe route to restore the employment of millions of workers and businessmen attached to them. According to the research done so far, zigzag technology is the most environment friendly method of building kilns with the lowest cost.”

All possible cooperation will be offered ensured by Punjab Government after approval from the Department of Environment of other proposed methods to address the concerns of the kiln owners and successful trial, he said.

The kiln owners complained that zigzag technology was affecting the production and quality of bricks produced.

The PDMA DG informed the provincial ministers that no such complaint had been received from any kiln earlier. He added that the PDMA was bound to take action as per the environmental commission and court orders.

“Kiln owners should inform the environment department about the concerns. There will be full cooperation with the kiln owners on whatever is within the jurisdiction of the authority.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2020.