Nearly all brick kilns in Alwar have started using biomass fuel as mandated by CAQM
Photo: iStock Alwar district in Rajasthan has witnessed a significant transformation towards clean energy since February 2022 when the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s (MoEF&CC) notification on brick kilns for the adoption of zig-zag technology and the Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) direction for using cleaner fuel in the Delhi-NCR region.
Around 90 per cent of brick kilns in the district shifted to zig-zag technology, and nearly all brick kilns in Alwar have started using biomass fuel as mandated by the notification.
Brick kilns have long been identified as a significant source of air pollution in many non-attainment cities due to non-compliance of environmental standards. Several directions had been passed by MoEF&CC, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) to regulate the sector in terms of technology shift and emissions standards. But initially, these sectors have shown resistance and gradually accepted and implemented the directions.
The stringent regulations for the brick kilns were introduced after a seven-year struggle.
Highlights of the MOEF&CC notification:
To further support this transition, the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment, in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, conducted a workshop titled “NCAP: Improving Environmental Performance of Industries in Alwar” on February 28, 2024. The workshop aimed to disseminate best practices from major industries in Alwar, including mineral grinding, stone crushers, brick kilns, and industries utilising biomass as fuel, to help them meet PM emission norms.
Nivit Kumar Yadav, director, industrial pollution unit, added that the brick kiln sector in Alwar has shown a commendable transition in technology shift. This sector has become a benchmark for other small and medium-scale industries in terms of embracing technological transition.
Anil Aggrawal, representing the Brick Kilns Associations in Alwar stated that out of around 130 brick kilns in Alwar, 90 per cent have now shifted to zigzag technology. He acknowledged that the initial transition was challenging, as labourers were unfamiliar with the technology, making plant operation difficult.
Bricks manufactured using biomass as a fuel tend to yield a higher proportion of class 2 quality bricks compared to class 1 and class 3.
Parth Kumar, programme manager, industrial pollution team, added, that the brick kiln sector should consider utilising briquettes / pellets instead of loose biomass to lower their PM emissions.
However, discussions with brick kiln representatives revealed that the use of loose biomass is a more cost-effective option for them. Additionally, during rainy seasons, loose biomass can dry more quickly compared to briquettes, which often take longer to dry and are prone to spoilage.
Before the notification, brick kilns in the region predominantly utilised Fixed Chimney Bull’s Trench Kiln technology and relied on coal and husk as primary fuel sources. The ban on dirty coal under the CAQM has prompted brick kilns to switch to biomass as a fuel source. This transition is likely aimed at reducing air pollution and improving air quality in NCR, which also includes Alwar.
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