Local authorities must draw up detailed plans to halt theoperation of traditional lime kilns, he said, adding that such kilns will haveto shift to producing something else.
He urged the local authorities to keep a check on thetransportation and use of limestones and coal, and hand out strict punishmentsto violators. Authorities must regularly supervise land use and environment andtraffic violations related to the transportation and consumption of limestones,Dien said.
A majority of the local traditional lime kilns are self-funded anddon’t follow any design or planning standards nor have a construction licence,as a result of which it is very difficult to control material sources.
Lime kilns located near residential areas release dust and otherpollutants, affecting local lives.
Currently, there are 64 traditional lime kilns in the province, 58of which are in Ha Long city, and Dong Trieu, Uong Bi and Quang Yen districts.On average, the capacity of each kiln is 3,000 tonnes a year. Of the 58 kilns,only two belong to enterprises; all others are run by households. In October2015, one mechanised lime kiln began operations in Hoanh Bo district.
Representatives of the four districts where traditional lime kilnsare located said organisations and individuals have been informed of the planto shut down lime kilns and have been asked to shift to other productions.Officials are making suggestions to help workers find new jobs.
The Ministry of Construction wants to shut down all traditionallime kilns nationwide by 2020, to avoid incidents of kiln collapse and labouraccidents.-VNA