Toma group fined Tk 500m over hill cutting in Chattogram

The Department of Environment (DOE) has fined Toma group of construction, a contracting firm, Tk 500 million for cutting hill illegally in Loghagara upazila of Chattogram during the work of Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar rail line project.

The company was fined after hearing at DOE’s regional office on Wednesday.

Md Moazzem Hossain, regional director of DoE, said the firm was authorised to cut 37 hills in Rangapahar area of Lohagara for Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway project but it cut 22.2 million cubic feet of soil from 20 more hills illegally.

On this allegation, DoE ordered the construction company to appear in hearing in November.

Toma group of construction is implementing the Lohagara-Cox’sbazar railway project.

Under the project, 88 km rail tracks from Dohazari to Ramu, 12 km from Ramu to Cox's Bazar and 28 km from Ramu to Ghumdhum will be constructed.

Stations will be constructed at Satkania,Chakaria, Dulahazra, Eidgah, Ramu, Sadar, Ukhia, Ghumdhum of Naikhongchhari.