Coal Fuels More Than Half of Brick Kilns in Delhi-NCR Despite CAQM Ban: Report

A new report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that over 70% of the brick-kilns remained open despite Centre for Air Quality Management’s ban on coal.

The report titled “Rules Without Reach” surveyed 128 kilns in 2025 and 152 kilns in 2026 across Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Shamli, Jhajjar, Panipat, and Sonipat, and virtual communications with 60 kiln owners. It found that no credible enforcement mechanism, no monitoring system, and no transition support was provided from the regulatory authorities to the brick-making industry. 

Zig-Zag Technology Transition Remains Largely on Paper

The CSE report found that none of the kilns were using coal as their only fuel, in fact, most used it in combination with loose biomass. The report said that even though most brick kilns complied with the mandated zig-zag technology, an energy-efficient and eco-friendly brick firing method where unfired green bricks are stacked diagonally to force hot air to travel in a winding, alternating path, from the conventional Fixed Chimney Bull's Trench Kiln (FCBTK) but conversion on paper did not mean conversion in practice.

Around 70% of evaluated kilns had cracks, broken walls, or poor-quality plastering that reduced efficiency and increased fuel consumption, said the report. It also noted that some kiln operators had also widened trenches beyond approved dimensions to maximise production during the Supreme Court mandate four-month operating window. 

The report found that coal use remained particularly high in districts such as Baghpat, Ghaziabad, and Jhajjar where kilns had stored coal in concealed locations, including behind the kiln structures and under tarpaulin sheets. While biomass was present at nearly all surveyed units, kiln operators told researchers that replacing more than 20-30 per cent of coal with biomass remained difficult due to operational and quality concerns.

Industry Lacks Support

The report also found that the coal ban has been implemented without adequate planning or providing technical support for the industry. Many kiln owners reported that they did not receive formal communication from CAQM or state pollution control boards and learnt about the restriction through media reports, union meetings, or messaging groups.

According to the report, nearly 78% of the brick kilns had no meaningful green cover in 2026, while only 40% had monitoring platforms considered safe for monitoring emissions. 

"The brick industry is among the most polluting and least regulated sectors in the country. The CAQM coal ban was a necessary step, but a direction without a transition strategy is unlikely to change behaviour on the ground. The sector needs technical guidance, financial support, and institutional hand-holding. None of that was provided, and the survey results reflect exactly that gap," says Subhrajit Goswami, Programme Officer, CSE.

Recommendations

The report recommended a more practical and supported transition pathway for the sector, including technical assistance, standardisation of biomass fuels, incentives for brick manufacturers using cleaner fuels and stricter monitoring of coal suppliers. 

The report also argued that brick kilns that have invested in cleaner technologies and environmental safeguards should be allowed to operate beyond the four-month mandated window, except during winters when pollution is at peak.