The Department of Environment (DoE) has fined Ferdous Steel Recycling Industries in Sitakunda Tk5 lakh for continuing shipbreaking operations without renewing its environmental clearance certificate.
DoE Chattogram Region Director Jamir Uddin imposed the fine following a hearing at the department’s Chattogram office on Wednesday morning.
The action came days after a toxic gas incident at the shipbreaking yard claimed the lives of nine workers and injured at least 10 others on 14 August.
According to DoE sources, the yard’s environmental clearance for shipbreaking activities expired on 12 August. However, the authorities did not apply for renewal and continued cutting ships after the expiry of the clearance.
The DoE subsequently inspected the yard along with other relevant agencies following the fatal incident.
Ashraf Uddin, assistant director of DoE, said a hearing was held in the presence of a representative of Ferdous Steel Recycling Industries.
“Following the hearing, the director imposed a compensation of Tk5 lakh on the yard,” he said.
According to DoE order, ship-cutting activities were carried out without renewing the environmental clearance certificate for the scrap ship. Such activities constitute a punishable offence under the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act, 1995, as amended in 2010.
The order directed the yard authorities to pay the Tk5 lakh fine for environmental damage within seven working days.
The DoE also ordered the suspension of ship-cutting activities at the yard until the environmental clearance certificate is renewed.
