The air quality in Dhaka has been a major concern, with levels classified as “unhealthy” for over three weeks. Despite efforts from the Department of Environment and other agencies to tackle this issue, air pollution continues to pose a severe threat to public health.
Experts, including Abdus Salam, a chemistry professor at Dhaka University, stress that temporary measures won’t suffice. He argues for a comprehensive plan to address the root causes of air pollution—like dust from construction activities and outdated vehicles. A 2025 study published in GSC Advanced Research and Reviews highlighted that congested traffic, poor fuel quality, and construction dust significantly worsen air quality, especially in dry and windy weather.
Shocking statistics show that in winter, around 500 tons of dust settle daily on Dhaka’s streets, while another 2,000 tons remain airborne. Experts urge strict enforcement of regulations concerning construction and demolition to control dust.
During the dry season, pollution escalates yearly, prompting environment advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan to call for coordinated actions across agencies to curb air pollution. She emphasized shutting down illegal brick kilns, controlling open storage of construction materials, and planting trees along road dividers.
Despite these measures, the air quality index (AQI) did not show significant improvement, remaining unhealthy from November 6 to 28. The AQI categorizes air as unhealthy when values hit between 151 and 200, affecting everyone, especially vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
Between November 3 and 19, at least nine mobile courts were set up to penalize polluting vehicles, leading to 34 cases and fines totaling Tk 279,500. Additionally, about 70,000 liters of water were sprayed on streets to combat dust.
While some initiatives are underway, experts like Abdus Salam stress that drastic measures, including promoting clean energy and enhancing traffic management, are essential for meaningful change. Without a substantial overhaul, air pollution in Dhaka may continue to worsen.
For further details on air quality issues, you can check reports from the Bangladesh Department of Environment here.
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