Relocation of brick kilns

The government has extended the deadline for relocation of brick kilns from areas under a city corporation or municipality up to June 30 next. This is the fifth such extension. Even then the vice-president of the Bangladesh Brick Manufacturing Owners Association (BBMOA) is unsure if relocation of the fouling brick kilns will be completed within the stipulated time. He seemed to be happy if 50 per cent of the kilns get relocated by the time. This is a clear indication that BBMOA will appeal, maybe, several times, for time extension because this is how it managed to get the time extended for the fifth time. Evidently, neither the owners of the brick fields nor the authorities have taken the issue seriously. Their arguments that it is a big business currently involving Tk 8.66 billion and relocation is a costly affair are in fact a ploy to delay the process. Years will pass without relocation of a single brick field because if one can stay where it was, so can others as well.

Indulgence such as this will not help the cause. Vacillation on the part of the authorities only gives more room for manoeuvring by the errant brick kiln owners. When the vice-president expresses a negative attitude immediately after the deadline extension, there is no doubt how lightly the association takes the issue and what motive works behind the manoeuvring. The important thing is to set a reasonable timeframe on the basis of surveys or studies conducted independently so that the parties involved do not have any scope for complaint. There is no point repeatedly extending the time for relocation. This is further indication that the authorities themselves are confused about the matter and have no clear idea how to address the problem. Sometimes it suits a few of those in charge because it keeps open the avenues for greasing their palms. Had people in position been seriously concerned about this pollutant industry and its share in the deteriorated air quality of cities such as Dhaka, they would not have approved of brick kilns in the vicinity of the cities, in the first place. The capital alone is not bearing the brunt of environmental pollution due largely to brick kilns, even a small town like Madaripur is gasping for breath on this account.

Relocation apart, the problem can be evaluated from the angle of its pollutant feature. Use of high-quality coal for brick firing is just one. But then there are several advanced technologies for accomplishing the task. Only a few years ago, it was given to understand for common people that introduction of a technology developed abroad has the potential of reducing the sulphur pollution - a major one, to the minimum. Nothing is heard about it these days. Why? Bricks will be needed for human settlement but it is advisable to make the optimum use of resources and energy in as clean a manner as possible. It is one area where further attention can produce startling results.