Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has announced that a combing operation will be conducted against illegal chemical warehouses located in Old Dhaka after Eid-ul-Fitr.
"Through today's meeting, I will offer my condolences and issue a stern warning to those conducting chemical businesses in Old Dhaka. You must apply to the Ministry of Industry according to the law and relocate there. If not, we will conduct a raid after the Eid," said Mayor Taposh while speaking at an event on Tuesday (2 April)
"We can no longer keep Old Dhaka at risk," said Mayor Taposh. "There was a fire a few days ago, and it has been happening regularly.”
He mentioned that the Ministry of Industry ordered the relocation of chemical-dependent factories and warehouses to the industrial zone in Shyampur, but only one of them has complied with the directive.
The mayor also warned to seal the buildings where the business activities involving chemical products are carried out.
"Another concern is that the upper part of those buildings is used as a residence while the lower part serves as a warehouse. This poses a significant danger. Therefore, if necessary, I will seal those buildings and disconnect electricity and water. This action will render the entire building non-operational. You cannot blame us for any inconvenience that arises then," said Taposh.
The mayor mentioned that there are 1,924 warehouses and business establishments of chemical dealers listed by the city corporation. “We have stopped issuing and renewing trade licenses for those organisations since 2017,” he added.
DCCI President Ashraf Ahmed, DTCA Executive Director Neelima Akhter, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md Munibur Rahman, transportation expert SM Saleh Uddin spoke at the event.
