Toxic gas spreads Rajshahi city area

Toxic ammonia gas is spreading all over the city originating from the heap of fertiliser left under the open sky in Shiroel area of Rajshahi city, creating a huge health hazard in the surrounding area.

 

The city people also facing peathing problem due to the gas in the air and they also demanded to immediate move of the fertilizer from there to somewhere safe place.

 

Source said a warehouse of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) is situated in Shiroel Colony area, but some fertilizer was kept outside the warehouse in the open air.

 

The residents of Ward-19 under Rajshahi city Corporation are facing trouble for the ammonia gas and they informed the authorities concerned several times to remove the fertilizer from the locality to a safer place.

 

Locals also held a press conference in this regard and demanded immediate action to remove the fertilizer. But, the fertilizer left under the open sky as it is beyond the capacity of the warehouse.

 

In the hot midday or evening, the poisonous ammonia gas spreads all over the area while the local people cannot move freely in that area for the unbearable odour.

 

Local people have to move wearing masks and different ages’ people complained of digestion problem, vomiting tendency, peathing problem, eyesight problem and skin diseases. The children and old people were facing health problem more than others.

 

They also alleged that they couldn't stay in the home or anywhere beside the heap of fertilizer due to its toxic smell.

 

The local people submitted an application to the deputy-director of Rajshahi Department of Environment to take immediate action in this regard.

 

Deputy Chief Engineer of BCIC and in-charge of the warehouse said that due to the additional quantity of fertilizer than its capacity, they kept it outside the warehouse. The dealers are regularly taking away the fertilizer, and soon it will be removed fully, he added.

 

 AIMD