Govt mulls policy to reduce air pollution around capital

The government is formulating a policy to reduce and prevent air pollution around capital Dhaka as it always remains on top of the global air quality index.

This was disclosed at the second meeting of a high-profile committee held at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with its secretary Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury in the chair, reports UNB.

Detailed discussions on the draft policy and the short, medium, and long-term measures to reduce air pollution around Dhaka were held at the meeting.

The meeting also discussed the inclusion of a rule of keeping construction materials covered during building, rebuilding or repairing roads, various utility services and buildings into the policy.

A decision was taken to repair damaged roads at the quickest possible time and sprinkle water twice a day during construction.

It was proposed at the meeting to include in the policy legal actions against those who pollute the environment by transporting sand, soil, cement and other construction materials in open trucks and lorries.

The meeting also said the policy will also include strict measures to conserve and control municipal wastes along roads.

A preliminary decision was taken on the issue of operating mobile courts regularly against smoke-emitting vehicles and brick kilns that pollute the environment.

At the meeting, a preliminary decision was taken to finalise the policy on an emergency basis after including the recommendations given by departments and the authorities concerned.

On 26 November, the High Court ordered the government to form a high-powered committee, headed by the Environment Secretary, to identify the causes of air pollution and formulate a guideline for reducing it in the capital.

Additional Secretary (environment pollution control) to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change Alamgir Mohammad Monsurul Alam, Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka South City Corporation Shah Md Imdadul Haque, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr AKM Rafiq Ahmed and representatives of various departments were present at the meeting.