DHAKA, Dec 12, 2024 (BSS)- Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has said the government would form a taskforce to check air pollution in Dhaka and its surrounding areas as an immediate solution on a temporary basis.
 
The taskforce will operate on a temporary basis as a pilot project until the next monsoon season arrives, he said at an inter-ministerial meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat.

The meeting was arranged to determine what to do to prevent air pollution in Dhaka and its surrounding areas during this dry season.

The taskforce headed by the Secretary of the Local Government Division would be constituted with the representatives from the city corporations, RAJUK, Department of Environment, BRTA, WASA and experts and stakeholders, he said.

Adviser of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan agreed with the decision of formation of the taskforce.

The local government adviser asked the officials of Dhaka City Corporation to seriously deal with the issues of frequent cutting of the city roads by utility service providers.

He said that the City Corporation and RAJUK could be given responsibility for bringing the city’s transport system and carrying the construction materials in an order to prevent air pollution.
 
The adviser emphasized on taking initiatives to arrange meeting with field level staff to make them aware about pollution control, cleanliness, waste management and water sprinkling on city roads.

Adviser of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan opined that there was no overnight solution to air pollution.
 
“Everything is not under our control,” she said adding that the amount of trans-boundary air pollution in Bangladesh is about 40 percent.

Sprinkling water can temporarily reduce the suffering, but it will not be of any use in the long term, she observed calling for encouraging the citizens to use masks and air purifiers.
 
An alert system has been introduced to control air pollution and decision has been taken to remove all old and unfit vehicles within six months, she said.

The government has also taken decision to phase out use of bricks in all government construction work by 2025, she said.