LIVES AT RISK: Brick kiln boom threatens public health

Shahariar Islam Sovon :

Severe air pollution has become a growing concern along the Dhaka-Aricha Highway, primarily due to the unchecked operation of numerous brick kilns flanking the busy roadway. Local residents and environmentalists have raised alarms about the increasing health and environmental hazards caused by these kilns, which emit thick plumes of black smoke throughout the day.

Professor Md Sahal Uddin of Rajshahi University told The New Nation that the crisis is worsening due to widespread disregard for existing regulations and poor implementation by relevant authorities. “People are reluctant to follow the laws, and the enforcement mechanisms are failing,” he said, adding that the overcrowded city and growing number of unfit vehicles are exacerbating the situation. He urged environmental agencies to take decisive action to root out the problem before it spirals further.

According to field observations, dozens of brick kilns operating in the vicinity of Savar, Dhamrai, and Manikganj along the highway continue to violate environmental guidelines. Despite government regulations mandating the use of eco friendly technologies, many kilns still operate with traditional fixed chimneys that release high levels of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and toxic gases.

Residents of nearby villages complain of respiratory issues, eye irritation, and skin problems. “The air has become almost unbreathable, especially during early morning and evening hours when the smoke is most dense,” said Abdul Karim, a resident of Dhamrai.

Environmental activists say that the situation worsens during the dry season when dust from unpaved roads and construction adds to the pollution. “The combined effect of vehicle emissions and brick kiln smoke is creating a toxic air cocktail,” said Shahinur Rahman, an environment expert.

However, officials from the Department of Environment (DoE) have already issued several notices and conducted mobile court drives, but many kiln owners continue operations unlawfully.

Despite strict environmental regulations, illegal brick kilns continue to proliferate across the country, particularly along major highways like Dhaka-Aricha, contributing significantly to worsening air pollution. According to a recent report sent by the Department of Environment (DoE) to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, approximately 1,500 new brick kilns have been established in the last four years.

The report reveals that while the DoE conducted drives and shut down around 1,000 illegal kilns during this period, nearly 75 percent of them have resumed operations often without proper clearance or technological upgrades to limit emissions.

This widespread violation stands in direct defiance of the Environment Conservation Act, 2010 and the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013. These laws prohibit the setting up of brick kilns within one kilometer of any residential area, forest, hill, or water body.

However, field observations and departmental data suggest that most kilns disregard these legal boundaries, operating with impunity near villages, rivers, and agricultural lands.

Experts urge stricter enforcement of environmental laws, promotion of modern kiln technologies, and relocation of brickfields away from populated areas to mitigate the worsening air quality.
Meanwhile, commuters and locals continue to suffer as the toxic haze persists over large stretches of the Dhaka-Aricha Highway, posing serious long-term risks to public health and the environment.