Uncertainties loom over shifting chemical concerns from Old Dhaka

Uncertainties loom over relocating chemical concerns from Old Dhaka amid ministers, government agencies and the Dhaka South City Corporation making contradictory statements regarding the overdue shifting.
The plan to relocate the dangerous chemical warehouses remained on paper for over nine years since 2010 when devastating fire caused by chemicals killed 124 people, left scores of others injured with serious burns and destroyed at least 20 houses at Nimtoli.
Wednesday’s devastating fire at Churihatta, Chawk Bazar could recur only because the authorities sat on the plan to relocate the chemical warehouses from densely populated Old Dhaka.
Dhaka South City mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon on Monday announced at an emergency coordination meeting that the chemical warehouses would be evacuated from Old Dhaka within a month beginning February 28.
He also said that two mobile taskforces would go door to door in search of stored chemicals and on the spot give punishments to house owners at fault and snap their utility connections. 
The emergency meeting called by the mayor at Nagar Bhaban was attended by inspector general of police Mohammad Javed Patwary, Rajuk chairman Abdur Rahman, Dhaka WASA managing director Taqsem A Khan, Deputy commissioner of Dhaka Abu Saleh Mohammed Ferdous Khan, DPDC managing director Bikash Dewan, business leaders as well as local public representatives.
At a separate meeting, two hours later at 4 PM, industries minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun announced that chemical business would be moved out of the capital in six months.
He said that the decision was taken in consultations with a committee investigating to Chawk Bazar fire.
The meeting was attended by state minister of industries Kamal Ahmed Mojumder and Md. Abdul Halim acting industries secretary.
A probe body appointed immediately after the fire blamed chemicals stored on the first floor of Wahed Mansion which was worst affected by the fire. 
On Monday the loss of 67 lives in the Chawk Bazar fire was nationally mourned.
After Nimtoli fire probe bodies and experts suggested to relocate the chemical warehouses from densely populated Old Dhaka but no steps were taken to relocate them since.
The mayor said that the two taskforces would comprise of officials from the DSCC, RAJUK, WASA, RAB, the police, Ansar and business leaders, one for implementation and the other one for monitoring.
Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Jashim Uddin said at the emergency meeting that still many plastic factories were in production in Old Dhaka.
Abdus Salam, a chemical trader who attended the meeting, said that the traders agreed to relocate their businesses and that it could not be done overnight. 
Other participating businessmen said that if the government pressurised for relocating with providing alternative sites chemicals would continue to be stored in clandestine manners in Old Dhaka multiplying the risk factors.
They expressed fears that undue pressure tactics could, therefore, be counterproductive.
At a news briefing, acting industries secretary Abdul Halim later said that directives were given to the regulatory bodies and service providers to take steps in light of the decisions taken in 2014 in the backdrop of Nimtali fire.
The industry ministry will coordinate the whole exercise, he said.
Shahidur Rahman, vice president of the Bangladesh Chemical Importers and Merchants Association, who attended the meeting told New Age on Sunday that they welcomed the plan to relocate but expressed doubts that it would be possible for the authorities to relocate chemical warehouses in six months.


News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net