Illegal brick kiln demolished in port city

The authorities have started demolishing an illegal brick kiln in Toll Road area of Chattogram city from Tuesday morning following a court order after nine years of legal battle.

The brick kiln - KML Bricks – was being operated in the area for the last 20 years.

The Department of Environment (DoE) in Chattogram, along with the district forest division, jointly began the drive around 10am in the morning.

However, no one from the KML Bricks was present at the time.

"According to the environment law, none is allowed to set up brick kilns inside metropolitan areas," said Chittagong DoE Director Nur Ullah Noori.

"This particular area is also under the restricted zone of Chattogram Forest Department," he said, adding that, "The establishment doesn't even have the environmental clearance."

He further added that the demolition work of illegal brick kilns in the city will continue.

Photo: TBS

Earlier, the company was fined and a case was also filed against them in 2011 by the Department of Environment. Akhtar Kamal, the owner of the brickfield, filed a writ petition in the High Court following his appeal, which was later rejected in 2019.

According to the Brick Making and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act 2013, brick kilns can not be set up in city corporations, municipalities or upazila areas. Besides, there is clear prohibition in the environmental law.