Photo: TDM
Make the article short: Residents of Ashulia in Dhaka are facing severe problems due to a rice mill built in their residential area. The mill's smoke and ash emissions are causing environmental damage and adversely affecting the residents. Pedestrians have complained about ash falling into their eyes, posing a hazardous situation.
The ash has also been damaging trees and houses in the residential areas. Additionally, the agricultural crops nearby are being destroyed annually by the mill's smoke and ash, resulting in losses for fruit garden owners.
Unfortunately, rice mills have been established within residential areas in Rangamati and Ganakpara in Ashulia.
Even though a rice mill auto may be present, the smoke and ash it produces are still detrimental to the environment. The situation has worsened during the current paddy crushing season. There are two rice mills in Shimulia of Ashulia, one in Rangamati and the other in Ganakapara, neither of which employs Slyclone technology for smoke and ash removal.
Several residents from the Ganakapara area, who preferred to remain anonymous, have expressed their concerns about the detrimental impact of the rice mill's smoke and ash on the environment. The falling ash has been causing damage to the tin roofs of houses, as well as destroying trees, gardens, and courtyards.
Additionally, the residents complain that Jasim Uddin, the owner of the rice mill in the Ganakapara area, obstructs the road while unloading the mill's load, preventing even rickshaws from passing through. Jasim Uddin and Ibrahim, the mill owners, vehemently deny the allegations of environmental pollution caused by their mills, dismissing them as completely false and baseless. They claim that not even a speck of ash can be found, and any ash that may be present is a result of temporary malfunctions in the machines.
Muktadir Hasan, the Assistant Director of the Environment Department in the Dhaka Region, expressed that he does not oversee this area but will contact another officer to address the matter. Meanwhile, Zahirul Islam Talukder, the Deputy Director of the Environment Directorate's Dhaka district office, assured that appropriate action will be taken if written complaints regarding environmental pollution are received.
He emphasized that a thorough investigation would precede any legal action. The local residents hope for prompt and effective measures to be implemented soon.
TDM/SD
