No lessons learned from Nimtoli tragedy

It has been eight years since 124 lives perished in a horrific fire in Nimtoli, Old Dhaka. The fire originated from a stove in a building, which had in its ground floor a store full of combustible chemicals. When the fire came into contact with the chemicals it spread all over eight residential buildings and 20 shops, burning people alive. At the time, the devastating tragedy due to pure negligence of the authorities to enforce the law against storage of chemicals in residential areas, caused a furor among the public and media. The Home Ministry declared that all chemical factories and establishments would be removed from Old Dhaka. But all too soon such assurances were forgotten.

On the eighth anniversary of that terrible nightmare, a citizen's group to save the environment has reminded us that several hundred chemical factories, warehouses and shops are still operating in Old Dhaka's residential areas in violation of the country's laws. Most of these establishments are illegal. So what have the authorities been doing for eight long years?

Such gross negligence indicates the level of apathy of the concerned authorities regarding the lives of residents of these areas who risk the same fate as those unfortunate souls in Nimtoli. Of course, we cannot overlook the indifference of the residents of these areas who have no apparent concern that their lives are at risk. But while lack of awareness and the greed of merchants are to blame for these factories and warehouses to be located in residential areas, the main responsibility of this menace being allowed to linger on is the state's. Unless the authorities diligently enforce the law and make sure all such factories and warehouses are removed from these areas, there is little possibility that awareness, if it does happen at all, will make these areas chemical-free. The home ministry must keep its word and enforce the law immediately, before another tragedy rips through Old Dhaka.