Increasing number of brick kilns near Srinagar airport pose risk to flights

Mushrooming of brick kilns in the vicinity of the Srinagar airport, a defence installation, has given rise to aviation safety concerns and environmental degradation.

The black fumes emanating from the furnaces of these brick kilns have prompted the authorities at the Air Force Station, Srinagar, to shoot a letter to the civilian administration to stop these activities.

“The brick kilns operating around Air Force Station, Srinagar, are emitting large quantities of smoke and particulate matter. This smog has a direct adverse effect on the environment and in-flight visibility during the terminal stage of the flight. It has been noticed that during the last decade, the number of brick kilns is rapidly increasing,” the letter written to Kashmir divisional commissioner on March 21 reads.