Utility services to 29 buildings snapped

A task force on Monday snapped utility services to 29 buildings housing chemicals in the Old Town of Dhaka.
During the 4th day’s drive against chemical concerns, the taskforce, split in three teams, stormed houses at Hazaribagh, Nilambar Saha Road, Nanda Kumar Datta Road, Tantibazar and other adjacent area.
In the past four days Dhaka South City Corporation-led task force snapped utilities to 76 houses.
City corporation officials said that the drive against chemicals would continue until April 1.
Taskforce members faced stiff resistance from businesspeople dealing with chemicals in the past two days.
The task force was appointed after fire fuelled by chemicals killed at least 71 persons, left scores injured and six buildings burnt at Churihatta of Chawk Bazar on February 20. 
The task force reinstalled water, gas and electricity line to eight houses as 15 house owners applied for the utility services.
Islambagh area house owner Md Farid said that the power office demanded Tk 5,000 in bribe from him for resuming utility services to his house after getting mayor’s permission.
Another house owner, Shakil Hossain at Shahid Nagar, said that he managed electricity from a neighbour although gas and power service were yet to be installed.
He said that all the chemical concerns from his house were shifted and he applied for restoration of utility services.
He expressed hope that utilities would resume soon.
In 2010, the government decided to relocate all the chemical concerns from densely populated Old Town of Dhaka after Nimtoli fire that killed 124 and injured scores. 
The government failed to relocate the businesses as yet.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net