On June 2010, 124 people were killed in a fire in a chemical factory in Nimtoli, Old Dhaka after which there was much talk about moving chemical factories, plastic warehouses, perfume factories from that area and surrounding areas, but nothing was done.

In February 2019, 78 people lost their lives in a fire caused by a cylinder explosion in Churidhatta, Chawkbazar.

After Nimtoli, Churidhatta, Armanitola tragedies, the businessmen and residents of old Dhaka are terrified by the incident in Gulistan's Siddikbazar. They said Old Dhaka is always dangerous. Still we are risking our lives here, doing business. But the trouble is we have to witness one big tragedy after another.

Those concerned said that most of the houses in old Dhaka are unplanned. Not only that these houses are very old. There is no place to walk through the streets, the environment is crowded. Where there are hotels-restaurants, chemical godowns, various factories, houses as if many in one.

There are unplanned electric, gas and sewage lines. Digging the road is like a daily companion. It's like gasping all around. Tragedies are adding up one after the other. The death march is long. However, almost every building in Old Dhaka is at risk of fire and explosion.

Fires often occur in Old Dhaka. Due to the narrow roads and unplanned buildings, the fire service also had to struggle to control the fire. As a result, if any incident happens in Old Dhaka, the damage is more.

Especially chemical godowns, plastic factories, shoe factories, hazardous gas lines, unplanned buildings have turned old Dhaka into a city of terror. In case of a major incident, the concerned parties talk about various measures to eliminate the risk, but nothing is implemented. Especially the chemical godowns known as death pits have not been removed yet. It is said that they will be shifted to Rasayasik Palli, but no one has a definite answer as to when they will be shifted there.

As a result, the city dwellers are living in old Dhaka with fear for years. Local residents have expressed their anger that no effective measures have been taken to avoid the risk even after the death well of Old Dhaka. At the same time, they demanded that the old gas line be renovated and the chemical godown be removed.

Experts said that the inquiry committee formed after the Nimtoli tragedy in 2010 had asked for the implementation of 17 recommendations. If they were implemented, such a big tragedy would not have happened in old Dhaka. But unfortunately, the government has backed away from implementing those recommendations. If Old Dhaka is to be de-risked, it is very important to implement those 17 recommendations.

The recommendations include evacuation of chemical factories, taking legal action against unauthorized factories, checking the storage, sale and licensing of chemicals, ensuring construction of buildings in accordance with building codes, stockpiling of chemicals or explosives in residential areas or Public opinion was supposed to be formed against marketing.

Director General (DG) Brigadier General of Fire Service and Civil Defense Mine Uddin said, “We are working to increase awareness through seminars to avoid the risk of old Dhaka. Risk is several times higher due to chemical godowns, plastic factories in Old Dhaka. In case of fire or explosion we also have to speed up the rescue operation due to the narrow roads.”

“Considering all these, chemical and plastic factories should be removed. Apart from this, there is no substitute for awareness to avoid all kinds of risks,” he added.

According to the relevant sources, after the Nimtali tragedy, a task force was formed comprising several organizations including City Corporation, Ministry of Industry, Regional Executive Officer, Explosives Department. The committee has listed 1,924 chemical traders in Old Dhaka who are at high risk.

This list was also submitted to the cabinet. But the transfer did not see the light of day. However, according to the information of the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defense, 508 plastic factories in Old Dhaka are the most vulnerable to fire.

According to a study by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), there are 25,000 chemical godowns in Old Dhaka. 15 thousand of these are in the house itself. City corporation has given trade license to only 2500 godowns. The remaining 22,000 godowns are illegal.

200 types of harmful and hazardous chemicals are being traded in these godowns. Many of which contain 29 types of chemicals such as sodium anhydrous, sodium thiosulfate, hydrogen peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone, thinner, isopropyl and toluene, which can cause severe burns if ignited.

Those concerned said that at least 200 people have lost their lives in separate incidents in the last 11 years in Old Dhaka alone. Of the 15 worst fires in terms of casualties, only three were prosecuted. After reviewing these accidents, it has been found that the extent of the loss of life and property in the fire and the culprits can be identified, but they always remain out of touch.

Fire service sources say that 98 per cent of the chemical godowns in old Dhaka are illegal. According to experts, one drum of chemical is more powerful than 1000 bombs, which can burn most parts of Old Dhaka if the fire starts.

A businessman of Siddique Bazar said that many people disappeared in front of his eyes. I heard so many screams. What can be more difficult than this? We no longer want to live in fear. Effective steps should be taken to de-risk Old Dhaka. Electricity and gas lines should be renovated to ensure everyone's safety. We need to be safe.

Fruit trader Ripon, a resident of Siddikbazar, said, "We hear that various steps are taken when an accident occurs." We are tired of hearing these words of hope from that Nimtali tragedy. Now we want safety of our life. All hazardous materials should be removed from Old Dhaka, including all chemical godowns and shoe factories. Chemical factories are death pits.”

Urban planners said that Old Dhaka is always in danger due to unpaved roads, chemical godowns, unplanned buildings.

The 17 points that were supposed to be implemented after the Nimatoli tragedy must be implemented. Special incentive of 2-3 per cent interest should be given for construction of buildings in accordance with building code, widening of roads, modern gas line system, reconstruction of old Dhaka according to Detail Area Plan (DAP). At the same time, the habitable renewable certificate system should be introduced in every building under the initiative of the City Corporation.

@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on March 11 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan