Dirtier coal for brick kilns could worsen winter air

Environmentalists suggest use of briquette as kiln fuel and production of hollow bricks as possible way outs.

Hira Bricks Industry, Lalitpur has been planning to delay firing the kiln until mid-January, two months later than usual. The delay is due to the rocketing international coal prices caused, first, by the Covid pandemic and then by the Russia-Ukraine war, which started last February.