Lack of planning and coordination: Fragmented governance worsens Dhaka’s air pollution crisis
Without stronger inter-ministerial collaboration, they warned, policy overlaps, weak enforcement, and gaps in accountability will keep undermining efforts to curb toxic air in the capital and across the country.
Dhaka's severe air pollution, long exacerbated by rapid urbanisation and unchecked industrial growth, is further compounded by fragmented governance. Experts say at least 15 ministries and agencies are involved in either creating or controlling air pollution, but a lack of coordination continues to undermine efforts to improve air quality.
Without stronger inter-ministerial collaboration, policy overlaps, weak enforcement, and accountability gaps persist, experts warn.
To highlight public suffering and explore solutions, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) organised a public hearing on Tuesday (30 September) on "Measures to Prevent Air Pollution" at the Shailaprapat Auditorium of the Tourism Building.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The event brought together affected citizens, doctors, academics, urban planners, environmentalists, police, officials, and civil society representatives.
Md Ziaul Haque, Director of the Department of Environment, said, "Though a high-powered committee exists, effective collaboration has not been achieved. Lack of public awareness is also a major challenge."
Since 2018, Bangladesh has ranked among the world's most polluted countries, with major contributors including vehicle smoke (28%), factories (13%), brick kilns (11%), construction dust (8%), and waste burning.
The resulting health risks include asthma, lung inflammation, high blood pressure, stroke, maternal complications, and increased cancer rates.
BELA Chief Executive Taslima Islam highlighted regulatory gaps: "Bangladesh has over 200 environmental laws. The Environment Conservation Act 1995, Environmental Conservation Rules 2023, and Air Pollution (Control) Rules 2022 exist. Yet we remain in crisis due to technical limitations, manpower shortages, lack of political will, and overlapping jurisdictions. A coordinated, holistic approach is urgently needed. Air pollution is steadily increasing healthcare costs for people."
The 2025 CREA report estimates that effective air pollution control could prevent 102,456 premature deaths annually, along with thousands of premature births and underweight infants.
The Air Quality Life Index notes that Dhaka residents' life expectancy has fallen by 6.9 years, while areas around Dhaka lost 6.2 years, and nationwide, 2.4 years.
Dr Sampriti Islam, Assistant Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Bangladesh Medical University, said, "Every person inhales around 16 kilograms of air daily. Ultrafine particles penetrate the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and affect the whole body."
Officials and stakeholders discussed solutions for waste management, vehicle emissions, brick kiln modernisation, and research-based approaches.
Naznin Hossain, Director (Enforcement) of BRTA, said, "From January to July, we dumped 1,100 vehicles, filed 18,000 cases, and imposed fines totalling Tk10 crore."
Firoz Haider Khan, President of the Bangladesh Brick Manufacturers Association, added, "There are about 8,000 brick kilns. Zigzag technology has been introduced in phases. Sudden closures would harm stakeholders, so compensation and planning are essential."
Mahbubur Alam Talukder, Chief Waste Management Officer of Dhaka South City Corporation, explained manpower shortages: "We ideally need 8,000 workers, but have only 4,000. We've initiated projects to convert waste into energy, and work at the Matuail dumping ground is expected to start next month."
A H M Shafiquzzaman, President of CAB and Secretary (PRL) at the Ministry of Labour, noted, "Laws exist, but enforcement is lacking. Agriculture and roadside waste also contribute. Good governance and accountability in industries are essential, and the private sector must act responsibly too."
