Serious allegations have been made against RAJUK’s chief urban planner Ashraful Islam over the approval of an industrial factory in the Bashundhara residential area. There has been intense public concern and anger surrounding this approval. It has been alleged that a factory called Bashundhara Gold Refinery has been approved illegally with the help of an influential group in power and in violation of RAJUK’s rules and regulations.
Bashundhara residential area is completely included in the residential plan. According to RAJUK’s policies, it is completely illegal to allow any industrial factory to be set up in such an area. However, allegations have been made against a group led by Ashraful Islam that they gave this approval in violation of the rules.
Local residents said that setting up a factory like the Gold Refinery will create serious health risks due to air and noise pollution and the use of chemicals. Many residents have already submitted their complaints in writing to RAJUK and the relevant authorities. They fear that the pollution from the factory will increase the risk of respiratory problems, asthma and skin diseases, especially for children and the elderly.
A source who did not wish to be named said that some RAJUK officials, including Ashraful Islam, took financial benefits in cooperation with various influential groups in obtaining this approval. There have been allegations of several irregularities and corruption in the process.
A top RAJUK official said, “A high-level investigation is underway regarding this approval. If proven, strict action will be taken against the guilty.” However, the locals are not satisfied with this statement and they are demanding immediate and effective action. Bashundhara residents are already organizing and preparing for a movement and have also said that they will take legal action if necessary.
Environmental experts have warned that setting up such factories will pose a serious threat to public health in the long term. Especially due to air pollution, respiratory diseases, asthma and other physical complications will increase.
After this incident, new questions have also been raised about the planning and maintenance of residential areas across the country. If the complaints and concerns of the locals are ignored, it will become a major threat to public health.
It is the demand of the hour to take effective action through a swift and transparent investigation into the approval of the industrial factory in the Bashundhara area and the allegations raised against Ashraful Islam.
