Assam: Nearly 500 illegal brick kilns flourish in Kamrup’s Boko–Chhaygaon, revenue loss mounts

Nearly 500 illegal brick kilns have reportedly sprung up across several areas of the Boko–Chhaygaon co-cistrict in Kamrup district of Assam, triggering alarm among residents and civil society organisations over large-scale environmental damage and massive loss of government revenue.

 

The proliferation is particularly visible in Haribhanga, Ghilabari, Bamunbari and adjoining villages. Several villages under the Nagarbera and Chamaria revenue circles have also witnessed a sharp rise in such unauthorised brick-making units.

 

Sources indicate that the offices of the Boko revenue circle and the Chamaria revenue circle had earlier issued warnings against the illegal establishments. However, construction and operations allegedly continued unabated. Civil society groups have expressed deep concern over what they describe as the silence of the district administration, the Pollution Control Board, the Forest Department and the police.

 

Local residents and licensed kiln owners allege that the state exchequer is suffering substantial revenue losses due to the unchecked operations. As per existing regulations, a legal brick kiln is required to pay 12 per cent GST along with land royalty.

 

A licensed chimney kiln owner in Boko stated that he is required to pay nearly Rs 12 lakh this year alone in GST and royalty. In contrast, illegal kiln operators reportedly evade all statutory payments, creating an uneven playing field while depriving the government of crores in potential revenue.

 

Reports suggest that each illegal kiln produces between five to ten lakh bricks per firing cycle, operating without regulatory oversight or environmental clearances.

 

Residents allege that the kilns burn wood, coal, crop soil and tree fragments, emitting thick plumes of smoke that severely pollute the surrounding air. Villagers living near these sites report rising cases of respiratory ailments, while ash deposits have allegedly led to skin-related health issues.

 

Environmental damage extends beyond air pollution. The large-scale removal of fertile topsoil for brick-making has reportedly reduced agricultural productivity and harmed local vegetation, raising long-term concerns about soil degradation and food security in the region.

 

In one instance on February 8, personnel from the Mandira Police Outpost under Boko Police Station, led by officer Rewat Saikia, attempted to demolish illegal kilns in Haribhanga. However, the team reportedly faced obstruction from certain locals, with attempts made to attack the police during the drive.

 

The incident has intensified calls from conscious citizens and community leaders urging the government to take firm and sustained action against illegal operations.

 

Residents have also questioned what they term as selective enforcement by authorities. On February 13, Chamaria revenue circle officer Nandan Nilutpal Bhagawati sealed two licensed kilns—BKB and NKB—for failing to renew documents with the Pollution Control Board.

 

While acknowledging the need for regulatory compliance, citizens argue that it is contradictory for the administration to enforce documentation rules strictly on licensed chimney kilns while allowing hundreds of allegedly illegal and continuously polluting brick kilns to operate unchecked.