Over fifty illegally-run polluting brick kilns were raided and demolished by administration in Ganjam district of Odisha as part of observation of World Environment Day on Friday.
These polluting brick kilns were operating without procuring ‘consent to operate’ from the administration. They were located on both sides of a major road connecting tourist spot Panchama and Siddheswar temple. Inhabitants of this area have been protesting against these kilns. A case is pending in the Odisha High Court.
On Friday a team of administrative officials and police led by Berhampur sub-collector Nikhil Pawan Kalyan raided these kilns. Most of these brick kilns did not have proper permission or documents for operation. Several brick kilns in Kukudakhandi tehsil and one in Kanisi tehsil were demolished by the administration. All of them were fined. Mr Kalyan said brick kiln owners have been cautioned and similar raid and demolition operations would continue against illegally run brick kilns.
