Govt plans aggressive dust control measures in Dhaka ahead of winter: Rizwana
She said all road repair work in Dhaka is targeted to be completed before winter, with additional dust control steps including surface covering, fencing, regular water spraying, and a “zero soil” policy
The government is taking a series of aggressive measures to combat air pollution in Dhaka, with a particular focus on controlling dust pollution ahead of the winter season, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said today (30 June).
Speaking to journalists at the secretariat following a meeting with visiting Chinese air pollution experts, Rizwana outlined short, mid, and long-term plans under the Bangladesh Clean Air Project (BCAP) to improve air quality in the capital.
She said all road repair work in Dhaka is targeted to be completed before winter, with additional dust control steps including surface covering, fencing, regular water spraying, and a "zero soil" policy.
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The government will also deploy watering carts and implement land-hardening measures, she said.
To reduce vehicular emissions, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) plans to phase out old vehicles and introduce 250 new ones. Ten automatic vehicle inspection centres will be established to enforce emissions standards, she added.
Long-term strategies, to be developed in collaboration with Chinese experts, include setting up advanced air quality monitoring systems, aligning emission standards with global norms, and promoting LPG for cooking. The Department of Environment will launch continuous emission monitoring for high-polluting industries, along with awareness and training programs, she further said.
In the transport sector, the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) will introduce 50 electric vehicles and install road fencing. A Japan-funded initiative will also set up eight real-time air monitoring stations across the city, Rizwana said.
Rizwana Hasan stressed the need for accurate data and source identification through a national emissions inventory and chemical analysis, laying the foundation for science-based interventions.
She expressed hope that the collaboration with Chinese experts would bolster Bangladesh's fight against air pollution, reaffirming the government's commitment to a cleaner environment.
