Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) conducted a drive in the old part of the capital on Thursday morning to remove chemical warehouses under its ongoing campaign in the wake of tragic Chawkbazar fire.
A special task force (TF), formed to this end, disconnected gas, water and power supply of 21 holdings where chemical and plastic goods and risky combustible substances were stored.
Chief Health Officer of DSCC Brigadier General Md Sharif Ahmed led the drive at Islambag in the area.
Chief Waste Management Officer of DSCC Air Commodore Zahid Hossain led another drive at the holdings at Shahidnagar in the area.
DSCC Chief Executive Officer Mostafizur Rahman, its Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal and other officials were present during the drive.
Representatives of Fire Service and Civil Defence, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd, Department of Explosives, officer-in-charge of local police station, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority and Dhaka Power Distribution Company were also present.
The owners of the holdings were asked to relocate their goods (chemical, plastic and risky combustible substances) by Saturday. Failing to do so will result in legal actions against them.
The DSCC assured them of restoring utility services if they follow the directives.
When contacted to owners and staff of some warehouses in the area, Hosain (32), a staff of Farid Colour located at Islambag area told the FE that although involved in paint business, the utility services of the warehouse has also been disconnected.
“We informed the DSCC authorities that we were are not involved with storing chemical at our house. But it did not work,” said he.
Another businessman, Jamal, had the same complain and said the DSCC should have raided where the chemicals were stockpiled instead of all warehouses in general.
“This kind of drive will ultimately harm our business as most of the businessmen in this area are not involved with chemical businesses,” he said.
