Anis Ahmed represented the head office of Deewan Cement with full authority, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the director, general manager and legal adviser.
Representatives of the Environmental Protection Forum pointed out in a detailed and effective manner that hazardous dust emitted from Deewan Cement was causing severe distress among residents of Hattar.
They stated that various serious diseases were spreading rapidly as a result, particularly cancer, asthma and skin ailments, whose rising incidence was described as alarming.
The management clarified its position, stating that practical measures had already been taken to control the use of coal and its harmful effects, and that the issue would be fully brought under control by the beginning of Ramazan.
It further stated that a comprehensive strategy was being formulated to curb dust emissions, expressing commitment to control the issue within the next six months.
In this regard, the director is expected to visit Bangkok soon to finalise a modern back-filter design to establish an effective and sustainable dust control system. It was also decided that until the proposed construction plan is finalised and the back-filter is installed, the factory will operate at partial or half production capacity instead of full capacity.