New Qadri Bricks was fined Tk1 lakh, Mamun Bricks Tk50,000 and The Helena Bricks Field Tk1 lakh.
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Bajitpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Diptimoyee Zaman imposed the fine on them for not having approval.
A recent report by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the World Bank on the sources of air pollution in Bangladesh identified three main sources – brick kilns, fumes of vehicles and dust from construction sites.
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“Brick kilns are responsible for 58% of air pollution in the capital. Plans have been taken to shut [traditional] kilns currently in operation. We are working to produce eco-friendly bricks,” Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin told UNB.
Also read: 5 brick kilns fined Tk8 lakh in Sylhet
Kiln owners have already been directed to produce 10% block bricks, the minister said, adding that it would be increased to 100% over time and the use of block bricks would gradually be made mandatory in private projects, too.