Once a ‘green city’, Rajshahi now struggling to breathe
On 16 March this year, Rajshahi surpassed Dhaka in terms of poor air quality, begging the question: How did a city that had been recognised as one of the greenest in the country throughout the last decade reach this point?
Motiur Rahman, a long-time resident of Rajshahi, once boasted about the city's clean air to outsiders. However, in recent times, his pride has waned.
Rajshahi was ranked as the most polluted city in the country on 16 March this year. According to data from Switzerland-based IQAir, at 9am that day, the air quality index in Rajshahi was 162, while in Dhaka, it was 134.
Previously, the city was admired for its modern, wide road system and pavements, which made walking a comfortable activity. The beauty of the seasonal flowers planted along the pavements and road dividers, would captivate the city's residents. But the tides have turned drastically.
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So, how did a city that had been recognised as one of the greenest in the country for the last decade suddenly become one of the most polluted?
Rahman acknowledges that this was inevitable.
"Roads and infrastructure in the city have improved significantly. But this progress has come at the cost of environmental damage. With a growing population, the main areas of the city are now often clogged with traffic. The city corporation is no longer as active in cleaning waste as it used to be. And the heat — well, it just seems to increase every year," Rahman said.
Environmental neglect and administrative apathy
Professor Abdul Wakil, associate professor of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), explained, "The ongoing construction projects in Rajshahi have led to several issues, including air pollution. Many large trees had to be cut down for these projects, which has increased both heat and air pollution.
"Road digging has worsened traffic congestion, and garbage is being scattered in various areas. Although these construction projects might prove beneficial 15–20 years down the line, they were not urgently necessary," he added.
However, Professor Wakil expressed hope that once the construction works are completed, Rajshahi will return to its former state.
Residents say that a series of misguided plans implemented by the previous government has dulled the city's reputation and beauty.
Over the past year, trees have been felled, ponds have been filled up, and auto rickshaws have been allowed to proliferate in the city. Even the bus terminal has not been moved out of the city amid pressure from the bus owners' association. As a result, the city's traffic system has collapsed.
Moreover, after 5 August, nearly 100 cleaning staff were dismissed. Although this leaves a workforce of 1,313, the cleanliness of roads and drains is not being maintained.
"The ongoing construction projects in Rajshahi have led to several issues, including air pollution. Many large trees had to be cut down for these projects. Road digging has worsened traffic congestion, and garbage is scattered across various areas. Although these construction projects might prove beneficial 15–20 years down the line, they were not urgently necessary."
As a result, waste can be seen piling up in various parts of the city. Some 350 to 400 tonnes of waste produced daily is dumped at the City Haat without any treatment, and this waste mixes with rainwater, flowing into agricultural lands and rivers.
According to Rezaul Karim, the Chief Executive Officer of Rajshahi City Corporation, the issue is temporary and not a long-term concern.
"I have seen the report regarding air quality. This doesn't happen all the time. I hope the issue will be resolved soon, and our workers are regularly cleaning the streets and household waste," he said.
Heat, pollution and overpopulation
One of the most notorious issues in Rajshahi is the extreme heat.
Professor M Mizanur Rahman of the Department of Geography and Environmental Science at Rajshahi University highlighted several contributing factors.
"The Padma River flows along the edge of Rajshahi city. In the summer, sand from the river's char enters the city, and due to the intense heat, the sand becomes extremely hot," he explained.
"Moreover, many trees are being cut down for various development projects. Water bodies are being filled up to construct residential buildings. There is no longer any justification to claim Rajshahi as a 'Green City'," he added.
Professor Mizan, who is also the executive director of the Centre for Urban and Regional Planning at Rajshahi University, further said, "Crops and vegetables that can grow on such land [char] could be cultivated there to mitigate the problem. But there is a lack of administrative will, and those who are supposed to work on these lands are not being given the opportunity. A group of individuals are using this land for their personal gain."
An increasing population in Rajshahi is also contributing to a rise in the number of vehicles and traffic congestion in the city.
"Many people work in nearby districts or upazilas but choose to live in Rajshahi in hopes of providing their families with a better quality of life. This migration trend is putting additional pressure on the city," Professor Wakil said.
Despite having licences for 10,000 auto rickshaws and 5,000 rickshaws, more than 25,000 such vehicles are operating in the city, causing severe traffic congestion.
"We are trying to regulate vehicle movement. We have introduced two shifts — morning and evening — where two different coloured auto-rickshaws will operate separately in each shift. Law enforcement agencies are also continuing their efforts to regulate unlicensed vehicles," Rezaul Karim stated.
Additionally, potholes have appeared on several roads, but no repairs have been made yet.
The city's development has been overly concentrated around the Saheb Bazar area, further contributing to the overwhelming congestion. Movement through key areas, such as from the zero point of Saheb Bazar to Monichattar, has become difficult.
Residents feel that the heavy dependence on Saheb Bazar must be reduced.
Experts say unplanned urbanisation needs to be curbed, and the existing master plan for the city should be fully implemented to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.
