Shut 231 illegal factories along Buriganga: HC

The High Court on Monday asked the Department of Environment (DoE) to shut 231 factories established along the Buriganga river without environmental clearance, reports UNB.

Passing the order following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), the bench of justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore and justice Mohammad Ullah asked the DoE to submit a compliance report by 22 February.

It also asked Water Supply and Sewerage Authority ((Wasa), Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited and Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) to sever utility connections after receiving letters in this regard.

The court directed the DoE to submit another report in details within three months if there are any industries in areas around Dhaka without environmental clearance.

Lawyer Manzill Murshid stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Abu Yahia Dulal represented the state and Amatul Karim argued for the DoE.

On Sunday, the department submitted a report mentioning that 231 industries were established along the Buriganga without environmental clearance.