Kuakata road at risk of collapse
Kuakata-Patuakhali highway is under risk of collapsing as a brick kiln owner has been cutting earth beside the highway in Amtali upazila of Barguna for the last two weeks.
Cracks have developed in many places beside the highway and it might collapse any time.
Md Liton Mia, a businessman of Dhaka, set up a brick kiln in Sekandarkhali area in 2015. He sold it to Saiful Islam of Baithakata village in 2017.
Saiful does not have permission from the deputy commissioner's (DC) office, although it is mandatory to take environmental clearance and license from the DC of the district concerned before operating a brick kiln.
Saiful also closed a local canal and farmers are facing water shortage for irrigation.
Assistant Commissioner (land) in the upazila Md Rezaul Karim visited the area on January 20 and found that the allegation was true. He conducted a mobile court and fined Saiful Tk 50,000. The mobile court also asked Saiful to fill up the ditch with earth within the next 15 days.
Saiful failed to show the necessary papers, including clearance from the environment department and license from the DC office.
“I will fill up the ditch with earth as per instruction from the mobile court,” he said.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Sarwar Hossain said they have sent a report over the brick kiln to the DC office for taking appropriate steps.
“We will take legal steps if he fails to fill up the ditch,” he added.
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