DoE mobile courts fine Tk 45.3m, shut 65 brick kilns in nationwide drive

The Department of Environment (DoE) conducted mobile court operations across the country, imposing fines totaling Tk 45.3 million and demolishing 65 brick kiln chimneys for environmental pollution.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Environment on Thursday, a total of 74 mobile court operations were carried out between January 2 and January 9, 2025.

During these operations, 206 cases were filed, fines amounting to Tk 45.3 million (Tk 4.53 crore) were collected, and 65 brick kiln chimneys were demolished, leading to the closure of the affected kilns.

Additionally, strict orders were issued for the closure of 25 brick kilns, and 17 hydraulic horns were seized.

On January 9, mobile court operations were held in Bogura, Gazipur, Jashore, Cumilla, Magura, Faridpur, and Tangail districts. As a result, 23 illegal brick kilns were fined Tk 2.57 million, 18 brick kilns were shut down, and one brick kiln owner in Gazipur was sentenced to six months of imprisonment.

In Dhaka’s Shahbagh, mobile courts fined five vehicle drivers Tk 10,000 for emitting excessive black smoke, while the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) impounded four unfit vehicles.

To combat polythene production and usage, mobile courts in Cumilla, Pirojpur, Habiganj, and Mohammadpur (Dhaka) imposed fines of Tk 38,000 and seized 211.5 kg of polythene, along with 65 sacks of raw materials used for polythene production. One factory was sealed off.

In the Basila and Aftab Nagar areas of Dhaka, mobile courts fined eight establishments a total of Tk 34,500 for storing construction materials in open spaces, and several owners were issued warnings.

The Department of Environment will continue its special campaigns against pollution, according to the statement.

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