A cleanup campaign—aimed at safeguarding the health of workers employed by stone-cutting and crushing quarries—has been launched at Banglabandha land port.
Organized by Banglabandha upazila parishad, in cooperation with Tetulia upazila parishad, the campaign aims to make the environment more suitable for tourists using the land port.
Tetulia upazila parishad (UP) Chairman Rezaul Karim Shahin inaugurated the campaign at Banglabandha zero line on Thursday.
Tetulia Upazila Parishad Officer (UNO) Saniul Ferdous, Banglabandha UP Chairman Qudrat-e-Khuda Milon, Tetulia UP Chairman Kazi Anisur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Tetulia Enamul Haque, stone quarry traders, and hundreds of quarry workers were present during the inauguration.
To ensure the land port area remains dust-free, water was sprayed to wash the stones of sand accumulated on both sides of the main road; from Banglabandha BGB camp to Banglabandha zero line.
The participants swept the streets, using brooms, and 500 of the assembled workers each received a mask. 
Tetulia upazila parishad (UP) Chairman Rezaul Karim Shahin inaugurated the clean up campaign at Banglabandha zero line on Thursday, January 31, 2019 | Dhaka Tribune
Banglabandha UP Chairman Qudrar-e-Khuda Milon said: "To ensure a pollution-free environment for tourists traveling to India, Nepal, and Bhutan—from Banglabandha—and to safeguard the health of the stone quarry workers, we will continue clearing the streets and distributing masks."
Aside from that, the stone quarry traders will spray water on their respective quarries at their own volition, he said.
Tetulia upazila parishad Chairman Rezaul Karim Shahin said: "We have instructed stone quarry traders to keep the dust and stones 20ft away from two sides of the main road. Legal action will be taken otherwise."
Tetulia upazila parishad (UP) Chairman Rezaul Karim Shahin inaugurated the clean up campaign at Banglabandha zero line on Thursday, January 31, 2019 | Dhaka Tribune
Banglabandha—a major inland port in northern Bangladesh—connects Bangladesh to a trade route with India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It sits next to a major industrial stone-cutting and crushing operation that employs more than 20,000 workers.
Workers employed in these fields suffer from respiratory diseases because of a lack of awareness and the apathy of business owners. Tourists who try traveling through the Banglabandha route also suffer from pollution from these nearby quarries.
