In a move to ensure port safety and environmental protection, a total of 19 containers of Dangerous Goods (DG) that had been lying unattended for years at Chittagong Port were safely destroyed over the weekend under strict supervision and environmental compliance.
The destruction process, conducted on 25 and 26 October, was overseen by an inter-agency committee headed by Mohammad Nurullah Nuri, Additional Divisional Commissioner (General), Chattogram Division.
Representatives from the Department of Environment, Department of Explosives, DGFI, NSI, Chittagong Port Authority, Chattogram Metropolitan Police, and Chattogram Customs House were present during the operation.
According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the demolition work began at 9 am on Saturday and continued uninterrupted until 9:30 pm on Sunday.
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Personnel from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, Ansar, and the local police station ensured safety and provided necessary support throughout the operation.
The containers destroyed included 16 of Uncoated Calcium Carbonate, one of Orange Emulsion, one of Sweet Whey Powder, and one of Skimmed Milk Powder.
These consignments had long been left in a dilapidated state at the port, posing potential safety and environmental hazards.
Officials said the operation was carried out in an environmentally compliant manner to eliminate any risk of chemical contamination or fire incidents.
Last year, in October 2024, the Chattogram Customs House and Chittagong Port Authority jointly removed and destroyed four containers of highly flammable hazardous cargo that had been stored at the port premises for nearly 14 years.
In a related development, the NBR has issued a special directive to auction off long-pending containers in a bid to reduce congestion at Chittagong Port.
Around 6,069 containers, equivalent to nearly 10,000 TEUs, have already been inventoried for disposal through auction.
A significant number of these containers have already been sold, and the remaining auction process is ongoing.
The NBR expressed optimism that the Chattogram Customs House will continue its efforts with speed and efficiency to reduce the container backlog and enhance port operations.
The board also reiterated that, in the interest of public and port safety, the destruction of hazardous and dangerous goods containers left unattended at the port will continue on a priority basis with the active cooperation of all relevant agencies.