DHAKA, Oct 23, 2025 (BSS) - The Department of Environment (DoE) today launched nationwide drive against noise pollution, air pollution and illegal production and marketing of banned polythene shopping bags. 

A total of Taka 86,000 has been fined and one factory’s electricity connection was disconnected and six hydraulic horns were seized, said a press release here.

In Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area, a joint mobile court drive was carried out by the DoE and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to control vehicular noise pollution. 

The mobile court inspected 28 buses, measured their noise levels and detected hydraulic horns. A total of Taka 16,000 was fined in six cases for violating the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules. 

The drive was led by Executive Magistrate Ashiq Ahmed of the DoE’s Monitoring and Enforcement Wing.

Besides, a special drive against the illegal production, storage and marketing of banned polythene bags was conducted in Narayanganj. 

The team, led by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner T.M. Rahsin Kabir of the Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner’s Office, with officials from RAB-11 and the DoE, raided S.M. Packaging in Kashipur, Fatullah.

Under sections 6(a) and 15(1) of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, the factory was fined Taka 70,000, 825 kg of banned polythene bags were seized, and the factory’s electricity connection was disconnected with the meter removed. 

Md. Rasel Mahmud, Assistant Director, DoE Narayanganj District Office, served as the prosecutor.

In Panchagarh, a joint mobile court drive by the District Administration and the DoE was conducted to curb noise and air pollution. The operation took place at the Sadar Union Parishad premises on the Panchagarh-Tetulia Road, where three truck drivers were fined a total of Taka 1,500 for using hydraulic horns exceeding permissible noise limits, and six hydraulic horns were seized. 

Additionally, two truck drivers were fined Taka 2,500 for transporting construction materials in an uncovered and unhygienic manner, causing air pollution. 

The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Mohammad Asif Ali of the District Administration, Panchagarh.

The Department of Environment has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing such nationwide drives on a regular basis to curb noise and air pollution and eliminate the illegal production, storage, and marketing of banned polythene bags.