Bahawalpur: All 307 brick kilns in Bahawalpur District will be closed from November 1 onwards, as per the instructions issued by the district administration, a news source reported. According to officials, these units will remain shut for a period of two months (till December 31) – in an attempt to avoid the accumulation of smog in the area.
District Officer for Environment Muhammad Rafique said that there were a total of 309 brick kilns situated in the district, and only two of these units had adopted zigzag technology on the directives of the Punjab government. He added that a year had passed since the provincial executive ordered the conversion of all brick kilns to zigzag technology,and even offered loans for the conversion process.
Rafique stated that those who fail to comply with the official directives would face consequences. He added that only the kilns situated in Uch Sharif and Hasilpur were allowed to continue with their operations.
The officer said that the government was concerned about the environmental damages, and had planned a massive campaign against smoke-emitting vehicles on inter-city routes in collaboration with the transport secretary.
