The Department of Environment today started a drive against illegal brick kilns on the banks of Turag River in Ashulia of Savar.

A team of DoE led by Executive Magistrate Tamzid Ahmed started the eviction drive around 10:00am and partially demolished eight brick kilns during the first two and a half hours, our Savar correspondent reports quoting the executive magistrate.

The brick kilns are M/S Raju Bricks, MSB Bricks and two units each of M/S Ashraf Bricks, SS Bricks and Meghna Bricks.  

Of the above, SS Bricks is owned by local Union Parishad Chairman Shahabuddin Matobbor.

SS Bricks was fined Tk 22 lakh and Meghna Bricks Tk 20 lakh. Besides, the DoE also fined Tk 10 lakh each to M/S Raju Bricks, MSB Bricks and one of the brick kilns of M/S Ashraf Bricks, Tamzid Ahmed said.

One of the brick kilns of M/S Ashraf Bricks could not be fined as it was found closed, the official said.

Members of police, fire service and Rab have been assisting the officials during the drive.