Cuttack: Prisoners in Choudwar Circle Jail will soon manufacture fly ash bricks. The brick manufacturing unit will be set up on the jail premises and it is expected to start functioning in a month.

Jail sources said it will enhance revenue and make prisoners self-reliant.

The state government has provided Rs 8 lakh for the project. Construction of a godown to store the finished products and a storehouse for raw materials has been completed while jail authorities have procured equipment to make the fly ash bricks.

“The project is in its last leg as only electrical work is left,” said superintendent of the jail Niranjan Das.

At present, prisoners of Choudwar jail are manufacturing products like mustard oil, phenyl and hand-woven towels, which are very popular.

Jail authorities said a special session will also be organised in the jail soon to train prisoners in brick making. Authorities are hopeful that the unit will rev up revenue of the jail as fly ash bricks are very much in demand.

“Baripada jail authorities are generating good revenue by making fly ash bricks. Besides, our prisoners will learn new skills, which will help them earning their livelihood after they are released from jail,” said an official.
Fly ash is generated from power plants so there will be no problem in getting raw materials.