RELOCATION of chemical factories and godowns from old part of Dhaka city to a new industrial estate is facing serious bottlenecks for reasons not known to local people. The Industry Ministry initiated the project, titled Chemical Palli over a 20-acre of land at Keranigonj over the other bank of Buriganga River. But so many years have passed since the Nimtoli fire in Moghultuli of the old city in June 2010 that killed 123 people and left 400 injured that prompted to the project. But it is not coming to the light of the day. Living with chemical factories and godowns is a constant threat to people’s life and property particularly in overcrowded old city. But the stalling of the project shows that the concerned authorities entrusted with implementing the project are not taking the threat seriously possibly until another such fire incident will come to happen.
The New Nation reported on Friday that like in the past presence of factories and storage of chemicals remains in place despite the open danger from such stocks in the old city. Chemicals like thinner (paints), turpentine oil, acid, calcium-carbide and inflammable liquids – are still hoarded and sold by a section of businessmen in old Dhaka violating rules and regulations of the Department of Explosives. There are specification how inflammable chemicals to be stored, used and transported in thickly populated areas. The specific map for marking chemical storage and godown remains ignored. Even they are not keeping specific open space (22 feet each side) around the godowns. Nobody – neither the businessmen nor the concerned government officials is taking such specifications seriously and ensuring their compliance.
As per media report Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor has said chemical godowns would be shifted from old Dhaka by next early March. Though he did not mention about where these godowns and factories would be shifted at a time when the Chemical Palli has not been developed, we would hope that he will take steps to relocate factories and godowns at least on temporary basis to save the old city people from risks to their life.
The solution however lies in quick implementation of Chemical Palli at its designated place and we must say work on the project should start immediately. We can’t wait for any more catastrophes knowing that it may happen any time. In our view responsibility must be fixed for project officers to implement the project in time. But why the Ministry is not taking it seriously is the big question. It is not acceptable at all.
The New Nation reported on Friday that like in the past presence of factories and storage of chemicals remains in place despite the open danger from such stocks in the old city. Chemicals like thinner (paints), turpentine oil, acid, calcium-carbide and inflammable liquids – are still hoarded and sold by a section of businessmen in old Dhaka violating rules and regulations of the Department of Explosives. There are specification how inflammable chemicals to be stored, used and transported in thickly populated areas. The specific map for marking chemical storage and godown remains ignored. Even they are not keeping specific open space (22 feet each side) around the godowns. Nobody – neither the businessmen nor the concerned government officials is taking such specifications seriously and ensuring their compliance.
As per media report Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor has said chemical godowns would be shifted from old Dhaka by next early March. Though he did not mention about where these godowns and factories would be shifted at a time when the Chemical Palli has not been developed, we would hope that he will take steps to relocate factories and godowns at least on temporary basis to save the old city people from risks to their life.
The solution however lies in quick implementation of Chemical Palli at its designated place and we must say work on the project should start immediately. We can’t wait for any more catastrophes knowing that it may happen any time. In our view responsibility must be fixed for project officers to implement the project in time. But why the Ministry is not taking it seriously is the big question. It is not acceptable at all.
