Explained: How brick kilns contribute to rising pollution

On Friday, the NGT had passed an order in Utkarsha Panwar versus CPCB that 7,000 brick kilns including those with new zig-zag technology in the NCR must be closed till the end of February 2020, or till pollution level comes down.

Fume arising from the smokestacks of brick kilns. (File photo)

For the past month, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Punjab has oscillated between ‘poor’, ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels, with burning of paddy stubble playing a major role in pollution. But last year, the AQI of Punjab in October and November had remained between ‘moderate’, ‘satisfactory’ and ‘good quality’, barring a few days around Diwali.