Tura: The District Magistrate of West Garo Hills in Meghalaya, Vibhor Aggarwal, has ordered the immediate closure of all unauthorised brick kilns operating in the district.
The directive was issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, following instructions from the National Green Tribunal, which mandates the shutdown of brick kilns functioning without environmental clearance.
According to Aggarwal, the district administration had received reports that several brick kilns in the district were operating without the required environmental approvals, raising serious concerns about air pollution and the health of workers and nearby residents.
“It has been brought to the notice that unauthorised brick kilns are operating in West Garo Hills District, thereby posing serious health issues to the workers at the kilns in addition to polluting the air,” the notice stated.
“If the operation of the brick kilns is allowed in the district, it would have an adverse effect on the air quality and the health of the workers,” it said.
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Considering the potential environmental and public health risks, the district magistrate has directed that all such unauthorised brick kilns across the district cease operations with immediate effect.
