Brick kilns in Jharkhand need exemption from strict norms

18 Jan 2022 CW Team

The red brick industry, which has been accused of environmental pollution, appealed to policy-makers for making a pro-con list before creating norms that will be tough to follow.

The brick manufacturers ready for switching to cleaner technology are skeptical that the strict regulations might put the small and medium businesses out of business.

The manufacturers are also doubtful regarding the future of their businesses due to the center’s carbon phase-down policy.

There are approximately over 2,000 brick kilns in Jharkhand providing direct and indirect employment to about three lakh people. Estimates suggest that the industry provides employment opportunities for a period of 120-150 days every year with an average wage rate of Rs 500 for every individual.

Even after adopting environment-friendly technology, this industry is constantly under the radar of environmental activists for considering it a polluting industry.

Jharkhand Pradesh Brick Manufacturers Association (JPBMA), Ranchi district President, Abhay Tiwari, said many brick kilns have transitioned to fuel-efficient zig-zag kilns from the previous Fixed Chimney Bull’s Trench (FCBT) model considered to be highly polluting for improving efficiency and reducing emissions.

The coal is burned efficiently with the help of the zig-zag kilns fitted with boosters which reduce coal consumption by 60% in comparison with the FCBT model.

The National Green Tribunal had recently passed an order for shutting the operation of coal-based zig-zag kilns in Delhi for safeguarding the heavily polluted regions.

Although the order has not been passed in Jharkhand there is a fear if it happens the businesses would fall into the hands of the corporates.

Some are switching to kilns that are PNG and CNG-fueled. However, it is too expensive for small business owners.

Image Source

Infrastructure Transport

13 Oct 2025

Tata, Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Line

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will manufacture the Airbus H125 and H125M, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in aviation and defence manufacturing. The new Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce the H125, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its versatility and performance in extreme environments. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected to ro..

NeGD to Support Bharat Taxi in Building Cooperative Ride Platform

In a significant move for India’s digital and mobility transformation, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered into an advisory partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the company behind Bharat Taxi — a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-led national ride-hailing platform. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NeGD and Sahakar Taxi to provide strategic advisory and technical support covering key areas such as platform integration, cybersecurity..

MeitY Hosts Pre-Summit for India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted a series of Pre-Summit events for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. These sessions mark a key milestone ahead of the main summit, scheduled for 19–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Delivering the inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted India’s innovative and frugal approach to AI development. “We have adopted innovative means by learning from others’ experiences to build projects and products that..