82 brick Kilns to be relocated
82 brick kilns to be relocated, Afridi tells NA
By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi Monday announced a plan for phased shifting of 82 brick kilns located in the precincts of Benazir Bhutto International Airport to a suitable place. During the National Assembly question-hour, Afridi said that the smoke emitted by the kilns dimmed visibility posing a serious threat flights. He said a committee constituted by the district administration under the chairmanship of the chief commissioner had worked out a plan for shifting of the brick kilns in phases. Twelve brick kilns falling in the Red Zone close to the airport would be shifted in the first phase followed by the shifting of 20 brick kilns located beyond Red Zone in the second phase and 50 kilns in the third phase. He said the Interior Ministry was working out a compensation plan for relocation of these kilns. Giving details, Afridi said that the owners of two brick kilns adjacent to the airport had been directed to cease operations but one of them got a stay order from the court. He said construction of a model brick kiln unit based on vertical shaft brick kiln (VSBK) technology was underway with Swiss assistance. He said the Brick Kiln Association was keen to switch over to VSBK technology once successfully demonstrated. He said flights at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) were facing delays because of the smog caused by the brick kilns in the airport environs. Visibility becomes poor as temperatures drop in winter, he added. Criticism: Experts in the Environment Ministry have rejected the relocation proposal saying that neither the Environment Ministry nor the CDA had the budget to compensate the affected owners. They said a compensation of Rs 26.4 million has been suggested for 12 brick kilns located in the Red Zone, Rs 44 million for those located beyond the Red Zone and Rs 110 million for those further beyond.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\01\13\story_13-1-2009_pg11_9
By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi Monday announced a plan for phased shifting of 82 brick kilns located in the precincts of Benazir Bhutto International Airport to a suitable place. During the National Assembly question-hour, Afridi said that the smoke emitted by the kilns dimmed visibility posing a serious threat flights. He said a committee constituted by the district administration under the chairmanship of the chief commissioner had worked out a plan for shifting of the brick kilns in phases. Twelve brick kilns falling in the Red Zone close to the airport would be shifted in the first phase followed by the shifting of 20 brick kilns located beyond Red Zone in the second phase and 50 kilns in the third phase. He said the Interior Ministry was working out a compensation plan for relocation of these kilns. Giving details, Afridi said that the owners of two brick kilns adjacent to the airport had been directed to cease operations but one of them got a stay order from the court. He said construction of a model brick kiln unit based on vertical shaft brick kiln (VSBK) technology was underway with Swiss assistance. He said the Brick Kiln Association was keen to switch over to VSBK technology once successfully demonstrated. He said flights at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) were facing delays because of the smog caused by the brick kilns in the airport environs. Visibility becomes poor as temperatures drop in winter, he added. Criticism: Experts in the Environment Ministry have rejected the relocation proposal saying that neither the Environment Ministry nor the CDA had the budget to compensate the affected owners. They said a compensation of Rs 26.4 million has been suggested for 12 brick kilns located in the Red Zone, Rs 44 million for those located beyond the Red Zone and Rs 110 million for those further beyond.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\01\13\story_13-1-2009_pg11_9
Comments
Post a Comment