Taskforce starts drive tomorrow

A government taskforce is set to launch drive tomorrow against illegal storage of combustible chemicals at Old Dhaka warehouses as the deadline for shifting those expired on Thursday.
“We will begin the drive from the next working day (Sunday),” said Industries Minister Dilip Barua.
On the first day after expiry of time limit, shops and warehouses of flammable chemicals remained closed due to weekly holiday yesterday.
Talking to this correspondent, locals said they have not seen any attempt to move the chemicals from shops and depots.
Traders kept shops shut like other holidays and they will resume business for first-half of the day today.
Against the backdrop of a devastating fire at Nimtoli on June 3, the government banned storage of combustible chemicals in Old Dhaka and directed the traders to move their stocks to a safer location by August 17.
Following requests from the traders the government later extended the deadline to September 30.
However, a good number of traders continue to store and sell combustible chemicals defying government order putting lives of thousands of residents under constant threat.
Mohammad Tofazzal Hossain, office secretary of Bangladesh Chemical and Perfumery Merchants' Association said they do not know whether any trader has shifted the stocks from the depot after the deadline.
Environmental activists from a citizens' rally at Nimtoli yesterday demanded relocation of factories and depots, using and storing flammable chemicals, from Old Dhaka immediately.
They also asked for stern action against the businessmen for failing to comply with the deadline.
Speaking at the programme organised by the Paribesh Sammota Basjoggya Dhaka Bastabayan Parishad (Council to Establish an Environment-friendly and Livable Dhaka), they urged the government to implement the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) to make the capital a livable city.