What are the ways to control Dhaka's air pollution?

Dhaka's air quality has been ranked the worst in the world, with pollution levels reaching "very unhealthy" to "hazardous" most days of the week. The city has struggled with poor air quality for years, particularly during the winter months, consistently topping global lists of cities with the worst air pollution.

The interim government has taken some steps to control air pollution, but experts claim these initiatives are insufficient. The Ministry of Environment and other government bodies have issued notices and conducted drives to control construction dust, illegal brick kilns, and unauthorised private construction work. However, these efforts have not yielded significant improvements.

A major contributor to Dhaka's air pollution is the overwhelming presence of dust and black smoke, which severely affects areas such as Shahbagh, New Market, Paltan, Kakrail, Mohammadpur, Lalmatia, Dhanmondi, Farmgate, Gulshan, and Mirpur. Dust covers everything—from tree leaves and plants to streets, houses, and even iconic landmarks such as Doel Chattar, Shapla Chattar, and sculptures at Hatirpool, Eskaton, and Bailey Road. The lack of regular maintenance is diminishing their beauty and longevity.

December 2024 set several records for air pollution, with levels reaching their highest in the past nine years. On 14 December, pollution levels hit an unprecedented peak. Over the last nine years, there were 17 days in December when air pollution reached "hazardous" levels, 11 of which occurred in December 2024 alone.

The Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) conducted a study and shared data highlighting the severity of the issue. Environmentalists argue that the current pollution crisis proves the Department of Environment's initiatives are ineffective.

Experts warn that this dust not only poses severe health risks but also damages the city's greenery and cleanliness. Despite this, efforts by the Ministry of Environment, city corporations, and other authorities to address the issue have remained largely invisible.

Shafiqul Islam, a cosmetics shop owner in Mohammadpur, shared his struggles with persistent dust. "Even after sweeping my shop two to three times a day, dust is a constant problem. It settles on my products, making them look old and deterring customers," he told The Business Standard.

"In this area, you can't go without a mask for even a moment. Small cosmetic products can't be cleaned regularly, and when customers see the dust, they hesitate to buy. It's also hard to breathe because of the black smoke from buses," he added. He further noted that ongoing construction, road digging, and worsening road conditions are exacerbating the problem.

Nilima Haque, a resident of Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, expressed her concerns: "Many of the flowers planted on road dividers by the city corporation are dying. The trees are covered in dust, and due to a lack of care, their green leaves have turned grey. Even when I keep my doors and windows closed, my furniture gets covered in dust."

On Road-11 in Banani, dust blankets trees and parked cars. Abdul Mannan, a car driver, was seen wiping dust off his car windows. "The dust doesn't just affect visibility; it also harms the engine. I have to service my car every week. This problem isn't limited to Gulshan and Banani—construction work and damaged roads are everywhere. Even the grass and trees by the lake, as well as the water itself, are covered in dust," he said.

Economist Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha highlighted the severe economic implications of air pollution. "Poor air quality has an extremely detrimental effect on productivity levels and Bangladesh's economy. When discussing human capital, air pollution emerges as a critical issue impacting efficiency and productivity. This situation can have dire consequences for GDP," she said at an event.

She identified three primary concerns regarding pollution: environmental degradation, health risks, and economic consequences. "From both a micro and global perspective, the negative impacts of environmental and air quality degradation are evident. The worsening climate crisis is alarming. Moreover, Bangladesh has one of the highest health-related out-of-pocket expenditures due to air pollution-induced diseases, which significantly affects family budgets, education, and nutrition."

She also emphasised the importance of addressing these issues: "We are optimistic about the demographic dividend, given our large youth population. This young workforce is crucial for national development, economic growth, and GDP. Addressing air pollution is essential to harnessing their full potential."

A Dhaka North City Corporation official, speaking anonymously, stated, "We are working to reduce air pollution and dust, but our resources are inadequate. Our magistrates are taking action against construction projects that fail to comply with regulations."

He added, "In winter, dust naturally accumulates, leaves fall, and greenery diminishes. This is a normal occurrence."

Md Khairul Baker, superintending engineer of the Environment, Climate, and Disaster Management Circle of Dhaka South City Corporation, acknowledged the difficulties in controlling dust pollution. "We have water-sprinkling vehicles, but we don't have enough water to meet demand. It's difficult to control dust from construction sites across various areas.

"We can't monitor private construction projects. We instruct contractors working on city roads to sprinkle water and follow regulations, but not everyone complies, and we lack enforcement power."

Research by CAPS in 2022 found that nearly 450,000kg of dust settles on Dhaka's tree leaves daily, equivalent to the weight of more than 112 elephants. This has resulted in a 20% decline in oxygen production in the city.

Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of CAPS, identified construction dust and black smoke from vehicles as the primary sources of air pollution in Dhaka. "Agencies responsible for controlling these issues, such as the BRTA, Roads and Highways Department, city corporations, Wasa, and Rajuk, have failed in their duties. The Department of Environment alone cannot manage this crisis."

He added, "There are nearly 100 government projects and thousands of private developments currently underway in Dhaka. None of them adhere to proper construction regulations. A legal framework is essential to tackle air pollution effectively. The government must enforce its policies properly. While action has been taken against unfit vehicles and environmentally harmful activities, these efforts must be sustained and enforced by all relevant agencies."

At an event, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, announced plans to plant grass on uncovered road dividers during the upcoming monsoon season to reduce dust. "We are considering forming a task force and action group to address damaged roads and other pollution sources," she said.

She stressed the need for long-term solutions: "To tackle air pollution effectively, we must improve fuel quality and modernise refinery processes. These changes require time and significant investment."