Use of fly ash bricks for construction of large buildings and residences is becoming visible in and around Erode.
Fly ash bricks are being utilised for construction of new building of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, and a large number of houses by Tamil Nadu Housing Board.
The Public Works Department that undertakes the construction of government buildings derives cost advantage by preferring fly ash bricks that are lesser by one rupee per brick, according to industry sources.
The nearly 50 fly ash brick units spread over Erode, Perundurai, Modakurichi and a few other places utilise fly ash sourced from the Mettur Thermal Plant and private power production units, besides steel plants that use coal.
Sturdier
Machine-made fly-ash bricks are sturdier than clay bricks.
In recent years, there have been more enquiries from private builders for utilisation of fly ash bricks, according to Lakshman, proprietor of a manufacturing unit based at Nasiyanur.
Increasing awareness about stability of fly ash bricks has reflected in the growth and volume of business of the industries, he explained.
Elsewhere in Erode, nearly one-sixth of the massive Tex Valley Textile Trade Market at Gangapuram was constructed with fly ash bricks. As many as 6,00,595 fly ash bricks were used, sources said.
