Brick kiln owners, workers lift Dhaka-Aricha highway blockade after 2 hours
Due to the blockade, vehicular movement on both lanes of the highway has come to a complete standstill, causing severe traffic congestion in the surrounding areas
After nearly two hours of demonstrations on the Dhaka-Aricha highway, brick kiln owners and workers have withdrawn their blockade following assurances of discussion regarding their demands.
The blockade was lifted shortly before 12pm today (19 November).
Confirming the development, Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Jewel Mia told The Business Standard, "The highway is now clear. We are talking to the protesters. They have withdrawn the blockade, and officials from the Department of Environment will also join."
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Earlier, around 10am, brick kiln owners and workers blocked the highway under the banner of the Bangladesh Brick Manufacturers Owners Association, Savar Upazila unit, protesting ongoing drives by district, upazila administrations and the Department of Environment (DoE) against illegal brick kilns. They staged the demonstration demanding that the kilns be allowed to continue operations.
The blockade caused severe traffic congestion, halting movement on both lanes of the highway and causing suffering for commuters.
During the protest, brick kiln owners said they must be given time until 2026.
"We have already paid our workers, arranged soil, and made investments. If the government stops us after 2026, we will comply. But we need this season," they said.
They added that last year, after court directives, authorities were told to spare legal brick kilns.
"If Savar had been declared a degraded airshed last year, we would not have invested again. We don't want to pollute Dhaka's environment, but we must be given this season. We even obtained a court order in our favour, but it is not being followed," they said.
