Relocation of chemical storages from old city

THE old city is as vulnerable to inflammable mishaps as before. Even seven years after the deadly Nimtoli fire in old city claiming 124 lives in explosion in chemical storage the situation still remained extremely hazardous and risky to human safety. The same old stocks are running and uncertainly persisting. Result of a recent fire inspection in the old city showed all the surveyed 360 stores, warehouses, factories and shops holding and selling chemicals were found highly vulnerable in terms of fire safety. Their poor safety arrangement and lack of skill in store management remained a cause of deep concern to the respective agencies of the government and to local people.

Facts show that the old part of the city is housing over 15,000 small and big industrial units in which highly flammable substances are produced or used. Risk analysis shows that the old city may become a hell of fire anytime if accident occurs in one of such stores and factories. Neither the City Corporation nor the government is having enough capacity to protect the city dwellers and necessary equipment to douse fire.

It is really risky that highly combustible chemicals like Acetone, Toluene, Methayl Chloride are laying in open air storage while there are standard rules how to store them in total safety. They must be preserved under 23 degree Celsius. But despite such regulatory guidelines flammable materials and chemicals in open air and in shops and warehouses have been found to lack minimum fire safety measures like fire extinguishers and water reservoir. However, many industries in the area use inflammable materials. These chemicals evaporate in the air and people inhaling the air suffer from many physical problems. Therefore, the only way to avoid the danger is to relocate these storage and factories using them.

Following the devastating Nimtoli tragedy several years ago, the Commerce Ministry had taken a plan to build a chemical village in Keraniganj, after acquiring land, building the physical infrastructure and ensuring safety. The relocation of the chemical stores from the residential areas was given priority. The Keraniganj village is yet to see the light of the day but it is encouraging that over 40 traders have moved out there from the residential areas in Old Dhaka. We must say others must follow.

As we see hundreds of labours handle chemicals everyday without personal safety gears, ignoring safety instructions and more dangerously without controlling the temperature. Handling chemicals with bare hands causes damage to the limbs, respiratory tracts, skin, eyes, liver, kidney and causes heart diseases. Explosive and noncorrosive liquid and powder chemical substances are spilling up at various locations.

It is advisable that the chemical village must be quickly developed. Meanwhile, the South City Corporation, Fire Department and such other concerned agencies of the government must keep regular inspection to avoid risks.