Brick kilns 'contributing significantly to Indian pollution'

One of the biggest sources of pollution in Kanpur, the main industrial city of north Indian state Uttar Pradesh, is brick kilns, it has been claimed.

On a daily basis, around 800 tonnes of coal is burnt in brick kilns in the region, 40 per cent of which have not been adhering to burning regulations, according to the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).

The Times of India quoted Radhey Shyam, regional officer for the UPPCB, as saying: "In the district, we found that more than 80 brick kilns have failed to adhere to the high court orders. We have no option but to initiate legal proceeding against them."

Burning one kilogram of coal releases four kilograms of toxic gases into the environment, he furthered.

In December, earth sciences secretary for India Shailesh Nayak stated that greater efforts are needed to improve the air quality of the country's major cities, the Times of India reported.