| File Note: |
At the outset, Asstt. Environmental Engineer, brought out that the brick kiln was granted consent to operate under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 vide no. CTOA/Renewal/PTA/2018/7443838 dated 15/05/2018 having validity upto 31/03/2019, for manufacturing of bricks @ 20,000 Nos/day with suitable conditions.
The brick kiln has now applied for obtaining fresh consent to operate under the Water Act, 1974 and varied consent to operate under the Air Act, 1981.
The industry has submitted completion certificate issued by CBRI, Roorkee w.r.t conversion of natural draft BKO of high draft with zig zag technology. But, no date is mentioned in the completion certificate. The industry has used coal in the month of April-May, 2019 as per the coal register submitted by it and is liable to pay Environment Compensation of Rs. 20000/- per month as per the Govt. of Punjab order dated 08.05.2019, which are operating the BKO without converting into high draft with zig zag technology.
On a general visit to the area by the JEE and undersigned of this office on 20.05.2024, the BKO was visited and contacted Sh. Sanjay, Munshi at site. During visit, it was observed as under:
1. During visit, it was observed that the brick kiln was in operation.
2. Black smoke was observed for the chimney of the BKO at site.
3. Kiln has not provided ladder & platform with the stack to facilitate emission sampling.
4. The kiln has partially stabilized the periphery road movement area with keri or bricks to minimize the fugitive dust emissions.
5. No unauthorized fuel was observed present at site of the kiln.
6. The untreated water from labour quarter & office washroom was directly being discharged into soakage pit in the premises.
The brick kiln is not complying with the code of practice prescribed for brick kiln and is found violating with the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Therefore, show cause notice for refusal of the consent to operate under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 was issued vide Board’s letter no. 1314 dated 23.05.2024 and show cause notice for cancellation of the consent granted under the provisions of the Air Act, 1981 was issued vide Board’s letter no. 1313 dated 23.05.2024 to the industry with an opportunity of personal hearing before the undersigned on 24.05.2024 which was postponed to 11.06.2024 due to administrative reasons.
The representative of the industry attended the hearing on 12.06.2024 at 11.45 am and informed due to personal reasons he could not attend the hearing on 11.06.2024.
During hearing, the representative of the brick kiln informed that they have converted there brick kiln to high draught and due to intense summer heat conditions minor black smoke issue must have been there and ensured that there will be no black smoke from the chimney of the unit. They are only using pulverized coal as fuel in the BKO. The BKO is maintaining online coal register and they have brought the same. They have plugged the soakage pits and have installed septic tanks for treatment of domestic effluent. He also brought the photographs along with him.
AEE brought out that the industry has submitted completion certificate issued by CBRI, Roorkee w.r.t conversion of natural draft BKO of high draft with zig zag technology and no date is mentioned in the completion certificate. The industry has used coal in the month of April-May, 2019 as per the coal register submitted by it and is liable to pay Environment Compensation of Rs. 20000/- per month (in total Rs. 40,000/-) as per the Govt. of Punjab order dated 08.05.2019, which are operating the BKO without converting into high draft with zig zag technology.
The representative of the BKO asked for more time so that he could submit completion certificate issued by CBRI, Roorkee with date or they will submit Environment Compensation of Rs. 40,000/- in the Board. The representatives again appeared in the office on 18.06.2024 and submitted Environment Compensation of Rs. 40,000/- vide receipt no. 02/5351 dated 18.06.2024.
After hearing the officer of the Board & representatives of the brick kiln, it was decided as under: -
1. Fresh consent to operate under the Water Act, 1974 and varied consent to operate under the Air Act, 1981 may be granted to the BKO upto 31.12.2024 subject to suitable conditions and subject to following special conditions
a. The brick kiln unit ensure that no black smoke is emitted by the brick kiln in future, failing which action for taking penal permission shall be initiated against the brick kiln
b. The brick kiln shall provide ladder & platform with the stack to facilitate emission sampling within one month.
c. The brick kiln shall comply with the code of practice prescribed for the BKO in true letter and spirit.
2. Assistant Environmental Engineer, shall visit the brick kiln immediately after one month to check the compliance special conditions imposed in the consent to operate under the Water Act, 1974 and under the Air Act, 1981, and submit report.
Draft proceedings are attached below for approval and signature please. |
