Around 180 brick kilns closed down

Around 180 brick kilns have been closed in the twin cities till August 31 due to torrential rains. The brick kilns would be reopened in the mid of September.

Brick Kiln Association Secretary General Chaudhry Raheel told The Express Tribune that they could not make the bricks during the rainy season. He added that the molded bricks kept in the open for drying are affected by rains and all material and efforts go in vain.

The official said they could not take the risk during monsoon season. He added that one or two brick kilns where the manufacturing process was still in continuation must have some sort of special arrangement.

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Raheel said that they have paid salaries to the labourers even if the kilns didn’t operate as they could not be held responsible for it. He added that all brick kilns in Rawalpindi district have been shifted to eco-friendly Zigzag technology.

At present, no manufacturing site was using old technology, he claimed. He said that the owners shifted to new technology over six months ago at their own expense as the government didn’t provide any loan to them.

Raheel said the brick season will start in Rawalpindi and Islamabad districts will start in September while brick manufactures would not be shut down during the smog season between November and January.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2021.