Environment minister calls for optimal execution of ‘BEST’ Project to combat air pollution

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury has directed the officials concerned to make the “BEST” project undertaken to prevent air pollution the most successful project.

“To reduce air pollution, we should not just wait for the project. Air pollution prevention should be done with government funding if necessary, considering public health,” he said.

The environment minister said this while addressing a consultant workshop on the “Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST)” project organised at the Department of Environment in the capital’s Agargaon on Thursday, according to a press release.

Mmore attention should be paid to ensure that the project money taken from people’s money is not wasted. The project should be completed within the stipulated budget. It has to be ensured that the quality target of the project is achieved, said Saber.

The minister also said that to make this project successful, the four components of the project -- the Department of Environment, Bangladesh Bank, BRTA, and Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority -- should work in coordination.

Dr Farhina Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change presided over the workshop.

Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division; Nur Mohammad Mazumder, Chairman, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority; and Gayle Martin, Operations Manager, World Bank, spoke at the programme, among others.

Representatives of various ministries, government and private institutions, environmental experts, and journalists were also present at the workshop.

Various stakeholders present at the workshop assured their support and cooperation in the implementation of the BEST project.