CHATTOGRAM, Feb 15: There are widespread allegations that a factory in the Sitakunda industrial area of Chattogram is emitting black smoke, thus polluting the environment in the area severely.
The emitted black smoke, which contains carbon, is hampering the production of nearby factories too, particularly the air separation factories in the vicinity.
Though the affected factory-owners complained to the authorities concerned to stop this illegal act, the authorities, including the Department of Environment (DoE), were yet to take any action, alleged the affected parties.
According to sources, the Standard Lub Oil Limited refines abandoned oil to produce lubricant oil at its factory; during the process, it emits black smoke in huge quantity.
One of the affected factories, GPH Air Separation Plant, which produces oxygen from air as by-product of the main production including billet, rods, etc, is suffering a lot due to the black smoke and carbon emitted by the Standard Lub Oil Limited.
The officials of GPH Air Separation Plant alleged that the discharged carbon by the Standard Lub Oil gathered at the re-boiler condenser of the 'Oil Vapor Cold Boxes', causing damage to the condenser.
As a result, they added, the production of oxygen was being hampered severely.
During the coronavirus outbreak, GPH Air Separation Plant supplied oxygen not only to hospitals in Chattogram city, but also to upazila hospitals in rural areas, said the company.
But the production of oxygen was presently being hampered for rampant emission of black smoke by Standard Lub Oil, it added.
As per the GPH Air Separation Plant, the organisation lodged complaints with Chattogram divisional commissioner, deputy commissioner, DoE, and the Department of Explosive to take action in this regard, but to no avail.
Engr Najmul Hussain, head of GPH Air Separation Plant, told the FE, "We complained to the authorities concerned as well as wrote letter to the management of the Standard Lub Oil to make their factory environment friendly. But no step has yet been taken in this regard."
Rejaul Karim Shamim, director of Standard Lub Oil, said, "We have been producing lubricant oil in our factory since 2013. We received NOCs (No Objection Certificates) from the DoE, the Department of Explosive and other authorities concerned."
"Last year, GPH set up an oxygen plant beside our factory. Since then, it has been filing complaints against our factory here and there."
"We stopped our production during the coronavirus outbreak as per the request of GPH and they then paid us only Tk 1.1 million as compensation for stopping the production activities. We are losers," said Rejaul Karim.
Contacted, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mominur Rahman said the district administration had already talked with DoE in this regard.
DoE and the district administration would take necessary steps for stopping the emission of black smoke, he added.
Asked, DoE Deputy Director Jamir Uddin told the FE, "Standard Lub Oil stopped its production for overhauling the factory and modernising its air treatment system."
The organisation then said it would modernise the air treatment system of their factory for ensuring safety of environment, said the DoE deputy director.
"Our inspector will visit the spot to see the development. We will take action depending on the report after the visit," he added.
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