LAHAN: Locals in Golbazaar have been affected due to smoke coming out of the brick kiln chimeys along the East-West Highway in Siraha district.

A total of around 18 brick kilns are in operation in the area. Locals of Balkawa, Asanpur, Niyaniya, Gurudham, Dohatiya, Choharba, Golbazaar including others have been affected due to the smoke and other pollutants emitte by the brick factories.

They said the pollution has had a negative impact on the production of mango, lychee and most of the cereal crops as well. Also, workers of the brick kilns are suffering from poor health due to the pollution they have breathe in daily, they bemoaned. As many as 87 brick kilns had taken permission from the Small and Cottage Industry Office, Lahan, for operation. However, due to the lack of proper monitoring the number of brick factories at present has not been ascertained.