The Department of Environment (DoE) yesterday fined Rupayan Housing Estate Ltd Tk 27.13 lakh for setting up an unauthorised project in Narayanganj Sadar upazila and violating the environment law.
A DoE team led by Muhammad Munir Chowdhury, director (enforcement), conducted the drive in Bhuingargh area of Fatullah. Munir Chowdhury said that in 2009, the company had taken permission for constructing a nine-storey building at the place but it built 28 eight-storey buildings on four acres. Some 50 families are living in the buildings which have no environmental clearance.
The project has no Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and Water Treatment Plant (WTP) facilities despite the DoE directives.
Since the DoE came to know about the matter, the team held the operation and fined the firm, he added.
The DoE also ordered the company to set up an STP and a WTP in the project area within the next six months. In default, legal measures will be taken against the firm after the establishments are seized and gas and electricity connections are snapped.
Munir Chowdhury also said the officials of the firm confessed to the wrongdoing and promised to follow the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995 (amended 2010).
-With The Daily Star input
