16 industries in Chattogram’s Nasirabad lack ETP

Azizul Hoque, Chattogram

The Department of Environment (DoE) disconnected electricity, gas and telephone connections of a dyeing factory in Nasirabad industrial area of the city recently as it had been carrying out operations without an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).

The DoE served notice to Makkah Washing Industries Private Limited three times asking for setting up the ETP. Then fines were imposed for not taking action. Later, the DoE disconnected all services for not installing the ETP within two months. After that the factory installed ETP.

As per law, industrial establishments are required to set up ETP for treatment of hazardous liquid effluents. This ETP is a process through which untreated industrial liquid is treated. However, the 16 industrial establishments of Chattogram are not complying with this law for setting up ETP.

Those concerned said that if they find evidence of waste emission without ETP during the campaign, the DoE would fine them. Despite repeated notices and fines, many industrial establishments are not interested in setting up ETPs. According to law, industries are divided into red, orange and green categories. Red and orange category factories emit hazardous waste. Instructions were given to Chattogram City Corporation and the DoE to  monitor the waste disposal of these factories.

According to the DoE, out of 16 establishments without ETP in Chattogram, eight establishments are in the process of ETP approval. The ETPs of two establishments are under construction and six more establishments have been served notice for setting up ETPs.

Meanwhile, the list of establishments under ETP approval process includes Fabrics Connection of Nasirabad industrial area, Unique Washing of South Halishahar, Brightex Garments of Agrabad Double Mooring, Sumetals Limited of Sagarika, Pachhajio Food of Aturar Depot, Karnaphuli Washing of Nasirabad, Raj Denim of Pahartali Munsurabad, and Al Raji Chemical Complex of Thandachhari.

In the establishments where the ETPs are under construction include Fulkoli Food Products and the other is Airmate Guddi Electrical Industries Limited of Kalurghat. The establishments which were served notice for setting up ETPs are Allama Washing of Bayezid, Banalata Washing of Aturar Depot, Coastal Sea Foods Limited of Sagarika Road, Limex Washing of Panwalapara, Chittagong Washing of Oxygen, and Highway Sweets of Lalkhan Bazar.

Experts said that the use of ETP is mandatory for washing, textile and manufacturing industry. The reason is said to be the release of detergents and dyes from washing establishments. And from tanneries and refineries, organic and various types of hazards come out, which mix with the water and cause the quality of the water to deteriorate. If these liquid wastes are spread untreated in the environment, there is a danger of people suffering from various diseases including cancer. At the same time, this water will mix in rivers and canals, pollute the water and destroy the fertility of the arable land.

Regarding the lack of ETP in the factories, the Deputy Director of the Chattogram City DoE Mia Mahmudul Haque said, “According to the environmental law, it is mandatory to set up ETP for the treatment of liquid waste in the establishments that generate liquid waste. Production will not be allowed without ETP. Many organizations have been fined and many have been served notices for not having ETP. Institutions that have not yet deployed ETP were listed. We are also monitoring. Operating any industry without ETP will result in the disconnection of utilities along with penalty.”