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DHAKA, Oct 28, 2025 (BSS) - A total of 19 containers of dangerous goods that had long been lying at Chattogram Port were destroyed in an environmentally safe manner on October 25 and 26, 2025.

The destruction work was carried out under the supervision of Mohammad Nurullah Nuri, Additional Divisional Commissioner (Overall), Chattogram Division, and Convener of the Inter-Agency Committee formed to dispose of non-auctionable and other perishable items.

Representatives from the Department of Environment, Department of Explosives, DGFI, NSI, Chattogram Port Authority, Chattogram Metropolitan Police, and Chattogram Customs House were present during the operation.

According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the destruction began at 9:00 am on Saturday and continued uninterrupted until 9:30 pm on Sunday. Members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, Ansar, and local police from Bandar Thana ensured security and provided necessary assistance throughout the process, said an NBR press release today.

The destroyed items included 16 containers of uncoated calcium carbonate, one container of orange emulsion, one container of sweet whey powder, and one container of skimmed milk powder. These had been stored in a deteriorated condition for a long time, posing safety hazards at the port.

Last year, the Chattogram Customs House and Chattogram Port Authority jointly removed and safely destroyed four containers of highly flammable hazardous cargo that had remained in the port yard for 14 years.

The NBR has also issued a special order to inventory around 6,069 containers-equivalent to about 10,000 TEUs-lying at Chattogram Port and to auction them promptly to reduce container congestion. The inventory process has already been completed successfully, and a significant portion of the containers has been auctioned.

The NBR expressed optimism that the Chattogram Customs House would soon complete the ongoing auction process, contributing notably to reducing congestion at the port. It also said that, to ensure port safety, the destruction of long-stored hazardous goods will continue on an urgent and regular basis with the cooperation of all concerned agencies.