The Centre is planning to ban use of burnt clay bricks in its construction projects across the country, a move aimed at giving a boost to environment-friendly products. According to sources, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has directed the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to examine whether burnt clay bricks can be banned for use in its construction projects. The CPWD is the largest construction agency of the Centre. It mostly constructs office buildings of Central Government, autonomous bodies among others across the country. Traditional brick kilns cause air pollution as they use coal in the brick-making process. In October last year, the Supreme Court-appointed EPCA pushed NCR states to ensure that all brick kilns implement the “zig-zag” technology, as specified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, which can reduce emissions by 80 per cent. Also, in April last year, the National Green Tribunal had slammed Delhi and neighbouring states for not filing their reply on a plea alleging that illegal operation of brick kilns has resulted in severe air and water pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).