10 brick kilns demolished in Dhamrai

Department of Environment (DoE) demolished 10 brick kilns and fined the owners Tk 42 lakh for causing severe environmental pollution in Dhamrai's Kalampur and Mohudanga area yesterday.

Modina, MSB-2, MS/Faruk, Nur Bricks, Tuhin Bricks and Marks Bricks were fined Tk 6 lakh each as they did not have necessary documents, while Mokka-Modina and Khan bricks were fined Tk 5 lakh each over the same allegation.

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Rahat Bricks and Kalampur Bricks were fined Tk 2 lakh each as they could provide some documents but lacked full clearance, said Tamzid Ahmed, executive magistrate of DoE.

Law says that no brick kiln is allowed within 1.5km of residential areas, educational institutions and hospitals, which made the demolished kilns illegal in the first place.

Drive against illegal brick kilns will continue, Tamzid added. 

According to experts, over 200 illegal brick kilns are currently operating in Dhamrai and Savar, contributing to the deteriorating air quality in the country.