A total of Tk 86,000 in fines were imposed, one factory’s electricity connection was disconnected, and six hydraulic horns were seized during nationwide drives against noise pollution, air pollution, and illegal production and marketing of banned polythene shopping bags by the Department of Environment (DoE).
In Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area, a joint mobile court led by Executive Magistrate Ashiq Ahmed of the DoE’s Monitoring and Enforcement Wing, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), conducted inspections to control vehicular noise pollution.
The mobile court inspected 28 buses, measured their noise levels, and detected the use of hydraulic horns. A total fine of Tk 16,000 was imposed in six cases for violating the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, according to a press release.
Meanwhile, a special drive against the illegal production, storage, and marketing of banned polythene bags was carried out in Narayanganj.
The team, led by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner T.M. Rahsin Kabir of the Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner’s Office, along with officials from RAB-11 and the DoE, raided S.M. Packaging in Kashipur of Fatullah.
Under sections 6(a) and 15(1) of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, the factory was fined Tk 70,000 and 825 kilograms of banned polythene bags were seized, and the factory’s electricity connection was disconnected with the meter removed.
Md. Rasel Mahmud, assistant director of the DoE Narayanganj District Office, served as prosecutor.
In Panchagarh, a joint mobile court drive by the District Administration and DoE conducted at the Sadar Union Parishad premises on the Panchagarh-Tetulia Road to curb noise and air pollution.
During the operation, 3 truck drivers were fined a total of Tk 1,500 for using hydraulic horns exceeding permissible noise limits, and six hydraulic horns were seized.
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Besides, two truck drivers were fined Tk 2,500 for transporting construction materials in an uncovered and unhygienic manner, causing air pollution.
The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Mohammad Asif Ali of the district administration.
The Department of Environment reaffirmed its commitment to continue such nationwide drives regularly to curb noise and air pollution and to eliminate the illegal production, storage, and marketing of banned polythene bags.