Compensation for affected population demanded

Environmental activists in Chittagong city yesterday demanded compensation from Bangladesh Railway for the people dependent on the rivers Karnaphuli and Halda due to their pollution after an oil spill in the water bodies.

Due to the pollution, the people are at risk of health problems, they said.

A train carrying furnace oil derailed and three of its wagons fell into a canal when a bridge collapsed at Khitabchar of Boalkhali upazila on Friday.

The canal flows into the Karnaphuli, some 10 to 12 kilometres off the spot.

The demand was made at a rally followed by a human chain formed by Jalashoy and Jaladhar Rakkha Committee in front of Chittagong Press Club.

The bridge was declared risky about a decade ago but the BR authorities did not take any step to repair it, alleged Advocate Rehena Begum Ranu, president of the organisation.

Moreover, the railway authorities remained nonchalant even after two days of the incident, she said

Rather the authorities discouraged locals to collect oil, said the speakers. 

Meanwhile, the BR authorities yesterday fixed the railway line that was damaged in the bridge collapse.

However, the wagons plunged into the canal could not be salvaged till 2:30pm, said Md Ramjan Ali, additional chief engineer (bridge) of the railway's East Zone.

Cleaning of the oil-tainted plants and bushes almost ended, said Khondakar Nurul Huq, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Boalkhali upazila.