DHAKA: Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Benazir Ahmed urged chemical traders not to make Dhaka a 'time bomb' by keeping chemical warehouses.  

The RAB DG said, “At one time, the Old Dhaka turned into a time bomb on account of chemicals, which resulted in two accidents of large proportions. Such an accident must not happen for the third time. Do not turn Dhaka into a time bomb.”

Benazir Ahmed was chairing a views-exchange-meeting in city’s Bakshi Bazar area on Saturday (March 23).

The meeting discussed relocation of factories and warehouses of chemicals, plastic and other risky combustible chemicals from residential areas of the Old Dhaka.

The government wants no business of combustible chemicals. The directive has been given to remove them at the initiative of taskforce. However, allegations have been made that these chemicals are stored in their own houses as well as relatives’ houses, he also said.

Requesting Ministry of Industries he said, “I request the ministry to rent lands of Ujala Match Factory and Dhaka Match Factory owned by chemical traders of the Old Dhaka.”

He added that, “Those who are among us businessmen can establish business at your own initiative. This will solve the problem temporarily within two months.”

BDST:  1816 HRS, MAR 23, 2019

AH/SMS