Electricity and gas lines of 20 factories on the banks of Shitalakshya river are disconnected

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Electricity and gas lines of 20 factories running without ETP (liquid waste treatment plant) on the banks of Shitalakshya river in Narayanganj have been disconnected. Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) submitted a report in this regard to the High Court bench consisting of Asif Hasan on Thursday.

Hearing a supplementary petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), on March 5, the High Court ordered the disconnection of electricity and gas lines to 20 factories operating without ETPs (liquid waste treatment plants) on the banks of Shitalakshya river. Besides, it is asked to submit a report to the court regarding the implementation of the directive. Following this, BIWTA submitted the said report.

Senior advocate Manzil Morsed, assisted by advocate Sanjay Mondal, appeared in court for the petition. Lawyer Mohammad Mokhlesur Rahman represented BIWTA and Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman represented the state.

Later, senior lawyer Manzil Morsed told Prothom Alo that the BIWTA authority gave the report by implementing the court order. According to the report, electricity and gas connections of 20 establishments have been disconnected. The court recorded the report. The 20 companies are Khalek Textile, Leena Paper Mill, RSK Dyeing, Khan Brothers Textile, SRS Need Dyeing, M/s Rubel Dyeing, Bangladesh Dyeing and Processing, Asian Fabric, Jilani Dyeing, Gazipur Board Mills, New Alam Dyeing, Maer Doa Dyeing, MR Dyeing, Abdur Rob Dyeing, Bismillah Need Dyeing, Shimul Dyeing, Razzak Washing, Sohail Dyeing, Karnaphuli Textile Mill and Haji Rasul Dyeing.

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Earlier, three lawyers on behalf of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a writ on April 24, 2025 seeking directions to stop the water pollution of Shitalakshya and to take necessary action against the companies illegally polluting the river. On May 6 last year, the High Court gave an interim order along with the preliminary hearing.

A monitoring committee has been formed to take steps to prevent the industrial establishments from dumping contaminated water and other waste into the Shitalakshya river in Narayanganj and it has been ordered to submit to the court the amount of water contaminated and the damage to the river. According to the order, the Department of Environment submitted a report on the current status of various institutions on December 8 last year. It can be seen that 20 companies are running their factories without ETP. After reviewing the report, HRPB submitted the supplementary application seeking directions to disconnect the electricity and gas connections of the establishments operating without ETP.