More Than Half of Budgam’s Brick Kilns Lack Valid Pollution Clearance, Official Data Reveals
![PCC Asks DC Pulwama to Shut Down Illegal Brick Kilns, 18 Brick Kilns Face Regulatory Violations, 7 Listed Without Consent Pulwama, Aug 8, KNT: Pollution Control Committee has asked Deputy Commissioner to shut down illegal brick kilns in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The latest status of brick kilns operating in south Kashmir's Pulwama district has revealed serious regulatory concerns, with 18 units listed either without consent, with expired Consent to Operate (CTO), or under a “Refused” status. The status details show that seven brick kilns are listed as operating “Without consent”, indicating that the units do not have the required regulatory consent to operate. The seven units are Dar Brick Kiln (415) at Alliepora Shahoora, LBK changed into Bhat Brick Kiln (151) at Nownagri Pulwama, Kamran Brick Kiln 777 at Parigam Newa, Budshah Brick Kiln at Audoora Pulwama, JKB Sanzan (151) at Astapora Sanzan, 417 Brick Kiln changed into 7HH at Achan Litter Pulwama, and Five Star Brick Kiln at Wahipora Pulwama. The list further shows eight brick kilns with expired CTOs, meaning their consent to operate has lapsed. These include Hilal Brick Kiln, Allie Brick Kiln, Bashir Ahmad Magray, Sunflower Brick Kiln, Jalal Brick Kiln, Magray Brick Kiln, Thoker Brick Kiln (A-No) and Shahoorа Brick Kiln (ATM). Another three units have been marked “Refused” in the consent status. These are Mir Brick Kiln at Hastikhud Zadoora Newa, Gulmour Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora and Dar Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora. The status as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also contains brick kilns holding valid CTOs, indicating that the regulatory violations are not uniform across the district. The findings assume significance in view of the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee's direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, to initiate action against brick kilns operating without the requisite permissions and in violation of environmental regulations. The presence of multiple units with expired or refused consent, besides those listed without consent altogether, raises serious questions over their continued operation and the effectiveness of regulatory enforcement in the district. The concerned authorities are now expected to verify the operational status of these units and take action against those found functioning without valid statutory consent. [KNT]](https://newsagencyknt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Brick-Kiln-780x470.jpg)
Srinagar, June 19, KNT: More than half of the brick kilns operating in central Kashmir’s Budgam district do not possess a valid pollution clearance status, according to official consent records, raising serious questions about environmental compliance in one of the Valley’s largest brick-manufacturing hubs.
An analysis of official data pertaining to 225 brick kilns in Budgam by the news agency Kashmir News Trust reveals that only 107 units currently hold a valid Consent to Operate (CTO), while the remaining 118 units fall under various categories of non-compliance.
The data shows that 51 brick kilns are operating with Expired Consent to Operate (CTO) status, 40 units are listed as functioning “Without Consent,” while consent applications of 25 brick kilns have been formally refused by the authorities. In addition, two units figure in the records under Expired Consent to Establish (CTE) status.
The figures indicate that over 52 percent of the district’s brick kilns presently do not enjoy a valid operational consent status under pollution control regulations.
The revelations assume significance as brick kilns are categorized among environmentally sensitive industries owing to their impact on air quality, emissions and surrounding ecology. Under established norms, industrial units are required to obtain and periodically renew permissions from the Pollution Control Committee before commencing or continuing operations.
Environmental observers said the data presents a troubling conundrum for regulators and raises questions about enforcement mechanisms, particularly if units lacking valid permissions are found operational on the ground.
Central Kashmir’s Budgam district hosts one of the highest concentrations of brick kilns in Kashmir and contributes substantially to the region’s construction sector.
The official records are likely to trigger calls for a comprehensive audit to ascertain how many of the non-compliant units are presently operational and whether regulatory action has been initiated against violators. [KNT]
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