Bhadaripokhari: Illegal brick kilns have virtually become a cottage industry in Bhandaripokhari block of Bhadrak district while the administration has failed to curb the mushrooming growth of these units.
Various outfits and locals alleged that at a time when day temperatures are on the rise, rampant baking of bricks has added to the heat.
Most of the brick kilns are found along river Baitarani and it has become a profitable business for scores of people. However, neither the district administration nor the revenue officials have taken action against the units, which are contributing to pollution.
Brick kilns owners have grabbed government land and pastureland where they have been carrying out their activities. Brick baking has been rampant at Maninathpur, Biroli, Sathagan, Barah Nuapada, Mudhapada, Bindhani, Raghunathpur, Balipokhari, Jagannath Prasad, Kumbharia, Nerada, Balipur, Jhutana, Banasta and Bandalo.
The Odisha State Pollution Control Board has granted conditional permission to the brick kilns. They are supposed to be set up at certain distance from human settlements.
The pollution regulator has also intimated all the Collectors about its guidelines in the matter of brick kilns. Brick baking within a distance of 500 metre from riverbeds, embankments and human settlements is prohibited. But these norms are thrown to the winds by the kiln owners.
Tonnes of earth are illegally lifted from various places for use in brick kilns.
By March this year, the administration has claimed to have collected Rs 16 lakh as penalty from illegal brick kilns, but unofficial sources said that the illegal business in the area has been flourishing.