Minister says Dhaka’s air pollution beyond tolerable level

Environment, forest and climate change minister Shahab Uddin on Monday said the air pollution in the capital has reached an intolerable level.

Mentioning that a meeting has been called to find out how to protect people from the worsening air pollution, the minister said subsequent actions will be taken based on the decisions to be taken at the meeting.

Shahab Uddin made the announcement before an inter-ministerial meeting on air and sound pollution in capital Dhaka at his ministry.

“There’re many reasons for air pollution in Dhaka. There must be coordination in building public and private infrastructure, and among the agencies working with utility services. Proper management of various projects, including the elevated expressway, must be ensured,” the minister said.

Mentioning that the air pollution in Dhaka city corporations is deteriorating day by day, the minister said the responsibility lies with the Department of Environment to solve the problem.

Shahab Uddin said the Department of Environment and the World Bank published a research report on the sources of air pollution in Bangladesh in March, 2019.

According to the research findings, the three main sources are brick kilns, fumes of vehicles and dust from construction sites.

Pointing out that dust particles are contributing to the city’s worsening air pollution due to construction work without putting the site under cover, the minister highlighted the need to take effective steps to control air pollution in Dhaka by all government and private agencies or organisations.

Reflection of proper environmental management while transporting and storing soil, sand and other materials, timely repair of roads and regularly sprinkling water to reduce air pollution must be seen on major infrastructural and development projects like the elevated expressway and metrorail, he added.