India, June 15 -- Over 70% of Delhi-NCR brick kilns continue using coal despite a CAQM ban, a CSE survey shows.

This exposes weak enforcement and poor transition planning.

All kilns shifted to zig-zag technology on paper, yet most suffer structural flaws, high fuel use and lack green cover.

Despite the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) ban on coal use in brick kilns across Delhi-NCR, more than 70 per cent of surveyed kilns continued using coal during the 2025-26 season, according to a new report released by the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

According to the survey, about 77 per cent of the 128 kilns surveyed in 2025 were using coal despite the prohibition. In 2026, the figure declined ma...