In a decisive move to curb environmental degradation and enforce compliance with environmental regulations, the Department of Environment (DoE) has demolished three illegally operated brick kilns in the Fatullah area of Narayanganj after collecting fines totalling Tk 1.5 million. The enforcement drive was carried out on Sunday, stretching from morning until late afternoon, in the Nandlalpur and Shailkura localities.
The operation was led by Fayzunnesa Akhtar, Executive Magistrate and Senior Assistant Secretary of the DoE’s Monitoring and Enforcement Wing. The campaign was conducted with the support of the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Fire Service personnel, and officials from the Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC), reflecting a coordinated inter-agency effort to shut down environmentally harmful industrial activities.
According to AHM Rashed, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment’s Narayanganj District Office, the brick kilns had been operating without the required environmental clearance and in direct violation of existing environmental laws. As part of the mobile court proceedings, each kiln was fined Tk 500,000.
The penalised establishments were identified as Abdullah Bricks Suppliers–2, located in the Nandlalpur Vitapara area; Messrs MSB Bricks in Shailkura; and Messrs SUA Bricks in the Dapa Shailkura area. Following the collection of fines, electricity connections to all three kilns were immediately disconnected by DPDC officials to prevent any further operation.
Subsequently, heavy machinery, including excavators, was deployed to demolish the kilns’ chimneys and crush large quantities of finished bricks on site. To ensure that the partially manufactured bricks could not be reused or sold, the Fire Service soaked the raw bricks with water, rendering them completely unusable. This step was taken to eliminate any possibility of the kilns resuming operations clandestinely.
Environmental officials stated that the kilns had been contributing significantly to air pollution in the surrounding residential and agricultural areas. Residents had previously complained about thick smoke, dust emissions, and damage to nearby croplands, as well as health concerns affecting children and the elderly.
AHM Rashed emphasised that such enforcement drives would continue. “The Department of Environment will maintain a zero-tolerance policy against illegal brick kilns. Any establishment found operating without proper approval or in violation of environmental standards will face strict legal action,” he said.
Environmental activists welcomed the operation, noting that brick kilns remain one of the leading sources of air pollution during the dry season. They urged authorities to sustain regular monitoring and promote cleaner alternatives in the construction sector.
Summary of the Enforcement Operation :
| Brick Kiln Name | Location | Fine Imposed |
|---|---|---|
| Abdullah Bricks Suppliers–2 | Nandlalpur Vitapara | Tk 500,000 |
| Messrs MSB Bricks | Shailkura | Tk 500,000 |
| Messrs SUA Bricks | Dapa Shailkura | Tk 500,000 |
| Total Fine Collected | — | Tk 1,500,000 |