Officers of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) today swooped down on as many as 105 brick kilns across the state.

The action comes in wake of reports that owners of these brick kilns were not adhering to the air pollution norms. The Board acted on concrete information that many brick kilns were using non-pulverised coal and unauthorised fuel like rubber pieces.

According to the information available at the PPCB head office in Patiala, Board Chairman KS Pannu had constituted 21 teams of Board officials to conduct raids.

During the raids, samples of ash were collected and have been sent for analysis. The teams also checked whether the kilns were using pulverised coal, essential as per the code of practice.

Furthermore, the greenbelt of sufficient width along the boundary of the kilns, which is mandatory as per law, was found missing in a majority of the kilns.

Pannu said, “The brick kilns found guilty will be issued show-cause notice and action will be initiated against them.”