Dhaka: Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced a series of measures aimed at tackling air pollution, emphasizing efforts to manage dust pollution in Dhaka. The announcement was made following a meeting with a team of Chinese air pollution experts at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana outlined the government’s comprehensive approach under the Bangladesh Clean Air Project (BCAP), which includes immediate, mid-term, and long-term solutions. Short-term measures focus on completing all road repairs in Dhaka before winter. Strategies such as surface covering, fencing, and water spraying will be implemented to mitigate dust pollution. Additional initiatives include using watering carts, land hardening, and a “zero soil” policy to contain dust from exposed surfaces.
To address vehicular pollution, which significantly affects urban air quality, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) plans to remove outdated vehicles and introduce 250 new ones. Plans also involve establishing ten automatic vehicle inspection centers to enforce emission standards.
A working group will be established in collaboration with Chinese experts to devise long-term strategies. Rizwana highlighted the necessity of accurate data collection and analysis for effective policy formulation and sustainable progress. Mid- and long-term objectives include setting up an advanced air quality emission monitoring system, aligning emission standards with global norms, introducing sanitary landfills and waste incineration plants, and promoting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cleaner cooking.
Rizwana also noted that tax incentives for environmentally friendly practices and technologies are under consideration. Under BCAP, the Department of Environment (DoE) will launch a continuous emission monitoring system for high-polluting industries and conduct nationwide training and awareness programs. The Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) will install road fencing and introduce 50 electric vehicles to encourage cleaner transport.
A Japan-funded initiative will establish eight real-time air quality monitoring stations to support evidence-based policymaking. The BEST project will complement these efforts. Rizwana expressed optimism about collaborating with the Chinese expert team, asserting that their expertise will significantly enhance Bangladesh’s capacity to combat air pollution.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Professor Yu Zhao, Executive Dean, School of Environment, Nanjing University; Dr. Haikun Wang, Vice Dean, Nanjing-Helsinki Institute in Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences; and Dr. Tengyu Liu, Associate Professor, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University.