The Punjab Pollution Control Board has started giving training to firemen working at various brick-kilns operational in the state. As many as 500 firemen were given training during the past week. PPCB chairman KS Pannu said there were about 2,500 brick-kilns in Punjab and firemen were the backbone of these kilns, who pour the coal as a fuel.

During discussions with the owners of the brick kilns in the state, it came to light that illiteracy of the firemen was the main cause for air pollution. "They (firemen) fire the fuel as per their will not as per the requirement", he said.

The Board has also decided to train the firemen of each kiln in the state at the Board's expenses. "The camps are being organised at the regional office level where the owner and firemen are being given training. During these camps, each fireman is registered and an undertaking is taken from him that he will not use any unauthorised fuel and only crushed coal will be used. Moreover, the crushed coal will be fired regularly and slowly after an interval of 10 minutes with the help of a spoon to ensure that no black smoke is emitted from the chimney of the kiln", said Pannu.

PPCB Environmental Engineer Pawan Kumar Garg said the participants were being informed that with the implementation of fuel firing practice, each brick-kiln can save up to 10-15 per cent of the coal consumption. This will save the environment from air pollution. All the firemen/employees will be issued a training certificate”, he said.

The PPCB authorities said during the past week, 500 such firemen were imparted training and the Board would complete the process of registration and training of each fireman working in the state by the end of coming week.

"The response of the firemen and owners is very good and with such a little change of habit of a fireman, the air pollution problem of each kiln can be solved as every kiln has scientifically designed gravity chamber to control emission particles," said Dr Charanjit Singh, Deputy Director (PR), PPCB.