Delay in construction of the chemical industrial park in Munshiganj district putting the people living in old Dhaka on danger. Reportedly, the government approved the project in 2019 to establish a chemical industrial park on 308 acres of land at Boalkhali village in Munshiganj's Sirajdikhan upazila in order to relocate the warehouses of flammable materials and chemicals warehouses from old Dhaka and other residential areas of the capital. However, after failing several deadlines, now the construction work is scheduled to be completed by next year.
It is worth mentioning that a deadly fire originated at a chemical warehouse at Nimtoli in old Dhaka left 124 dead on June 3, 2010. Later in 2011, the government took the project to establish a chemical industrial park. Almost a decade has elapsed but the project only sees earth filling work there as the construction work is progressing at a snail pace, delaying in relocating the hazardous chemical businesses and warehouses. Therefore, if the current pace of work continues, it would take more time to complete the project.
The government should take
necessary steps
to complete the construction of the chemical
industrial park immediately
A recent report published in this daily says relocation of chemical warehouse is still a far cry, as there are too many stakeholders engaged with the process. Industries ministry, BSCIC, RAJUK, Department of Explosives, and other government organisations are involved with this.
The hazardous chemical and flammable materials business has now appeared as like several volcanic craters in different places of the old Dhaka where people fear they may experience its blow anytime like previous Nimtoli and Chawkbazar devastating fire incidents. Apart from the chemical and flammable warehouses, warehouses of plastic raw materials have also set up in many areas of old town though they have no fire safety measures. Businessmen say they have no other option but to continue the trade as they are yet to get a new location from the government.
The government should attach highest importance to complete chemical industrial park immediately in order to quicken the relocation process of chemical businesses and warehouses from capital Dhaka to Munshiganj. Relevant authorities should put forth concerted efforts to speed up the work.
