Court orders investigation into factory waste pollution in Chattogram
Representational image. BSS.
The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) of Chattogram, A.G.M. Monirul Hasan Sarker, has directed the Department of Environment to investigate allegations of severe pollution caused by liquid waste from factories in the Chandgaon area of Chattogram city.
On June 16, Arun Chandra Banik, President of the Kuwaish-Chandgaon Farmers' Development Council, filed a written complaint in the "Complaint Box" before the CMM, Chattogram.
His complaint stated that several paper, shoe, garment, cigarette, leather, and fish processing factories are located in the Holiday Bill, Brahman Bill, and Chowdhury Bill areas adjacent to the Bahir Signal area of Ward No. 4, North Chandgaon in the city. Factories of large establishments such as Well Group, KDS, and Four H Group are also present there.
The factories do not properly operate their Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs). As a result, chemical liquid waste is being discharged openly and spreading across agricultural lands, water bodies, and residential areas. This is destroying crops, killing fish, polluting the water of water bodies, and spreading a strong stench throughout the area. Public health has come under serious threat.
Dipen Dashgupta, Administrative Officer of the Chattogram Metropolitan Court, said that the CMM took cognizance of the complaint and directed the Director of the Department of Environment for Chattogram Metropolitan Area to investigate and submit a report by August 11. The CMM issued this order ex officio as a Justice of the Peace for the metropolitan area under the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The court issued a total of 12 directives, including examining the factories' environmental clearances, ETPs, the nature and possible causes of damage to agricultural land, fish farms, and water bodies, and the current state of pollution.
