A joint team from the Monitoring and Enforcement Wing, Dhaka Laboratory, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Office of the Department of Environment found ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater during an inspection today in the Shyamnagar Kadamtali industrial area.
At the beginning of the inspection, the team observed the direct discharge of polluted water into the Buriganga River through a pipeline. Water samples were immediately collected from the discharge point.
Subsequently, two dyeing factories were inspected, where the Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) were found non-operational. Untreated wastewater was being discharged directly into the drainage system. Water samples were also collected from these outlets. Upon being notified during the visit, the respective factories promptly activated their ETPs.
According to local sources, there are approximately 49 dyeing and washing factories operating in the area. The inspection team recommended regular monitoring of waste discharge and ETP operations. They also suggested that roster-based monitoring responsibilities be assigned under the supervision of the Dhaka Metropolitan Office.
During the visit, the Director of the Department of Environment emphasized the importance of organizing a coordination meeting with the factory owners’ association, Dhaka WASA, and the City Corporation to develop a comprehensive action plan. Legal action will be taken based on the lab test results of the collected samples following an enforcement hearing.