DoE orders halting BPC project in Ctg, summons officials over hill cutting

State-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has been ordered to stop construction work after allegations rose regarding hill cutting at Joypahar on Sarsan Road in Chattogram city.

A team from the Department of Environment (DoE) visited the site on Sunday (25 January) and found evidence of hill cutting during the construction of a BPC building. Following the inspection, the DoE directed BPC to suspend work immediately and asked the corporation to appear at a hearing at the department office today (28 January) to explain its position.

Confirming the matter, Rubaiyat Tahrim Sowrabh, Senior Chemist at DoE Chattogram Metropolitan Office, told the Business Standard, "BPC has been served notice to provide explanation and nessary document at the hearing today (Wednesday)."

"Based on their explanation, the director will make the decision", he added.

BPC, however, claims it is constructing a five-storey steel-structured building on its own land. The corporation says it does not have a permanent office building and has been operating from rented premises for years, prompting the move to set up its own office at Joypahar.

Hill cutting is prohibited under existing environmental laws, and the incident has renewed concerns over environmental degradation in the city amid ongoing construction activities.