Cumilla-6 Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury has emphasized that chemical waste from the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) must be treated in effluent treatment plants before being released into natural canals. He made the statement on Saturday, June 6, during a meeting with BEPZA officials at the Cumilla EPZ conference room, where he served as the chief guest.

During the meeting, chaired by Cumilla EPZ Executive Director Engineer Shafiqul Islam, Monirul highlighted the zone’s growing contribution to the national economy through increased foreign investment and satisfactory export performance. However, he warned that untreated toxic waste from industrial units is threatening the environment, biodiversity, and public health, while also harming nearby agricultural lands and farmers.

The MP called on authorities to take immediate and effective measures to ensure proper waste management and the efficiency of treatment facilities. He also discussed the need to expand the Cumilla EPZ southward toward the Dhaka–Chattogram highway and suggested exploring the possibility of establishing a new EPZ on the northern bank of the Gomti River.