DoE fines Chattogram Development Authority Tk 100m for hill cutting

The Department of Environment, or DoE, has imposed a fine of about Tk 104 million on Chattogram Development Authority for razing hills beyond the approved limit to construct roads.

The DoE’s Director of Monitoring and Enforcement wing Rubina Ferdousi slapped the fine after a hearing on the matter at its headquarters in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The development agency faces the fine for damaging the biodiversity, surface soil and binding capacity of the hills by razing them, the DoE said in a statement.

The CDA project to construct the road linking Dhaka Trunk Road to Bayezid Bostami is at the final stages after it had started with approval of the DoE.

But the department called the agency to the hearing after DoE Director General AKM Rafique Ahammed found during a visit that the CDA flouted the permission, according to officials.

CDA cut off 69,000 square feet more hills than the permitted level, according to Rubina.

It also cut the hills at 90 degrees angle which is forbidden, she said.

“It can cause deadly landslide anytime,” she added.

CDA Engineer Rajeeb Das, the director of the project, said they would appeal against the DoE decision.