Old, polluting buses in Dhaka to be scrapped to combat air pollution: Rizwana

Old and polluting buses in Dhaka will be scrapped to reduce the air pollution in the capital, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Thursday.
 
"People in Dhaka cannot continue to suffer and die from air pollution. The interests of a few cannot outweigh the health of the entire population. Bus owners must take immediate action," she said at a discussion meeting at the Bidyut Bhaban.
 
The event focused on strengthening discipline in the transport sector, reducing traffic congestion, and controlling air pollution in Dhaka.
 
She urged bus owners to take immediate action, noting that a task force has been formed to combat air pollution.
 
The task force will focus on reducing dust, repairing damaged roads, and strictly enforcing laws, she said adding efforts will also be made to cut pollution caused by black smoke, brick kilns, and industrial emissions, aligning with the Air Quality Management Plan.
 
The Adviser also mentioned plans to declare Ashulia a no-brick-kiln zone as part of measures to control air pollution.
 
Besides, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has been approached to lower taxes on air purifiers, while steps will be taken to clear illegal encroachments from sidewalks.
 
The meeting was chaired by Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, and attended by senior officials, including Brigadier General (Retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Labor and Employment; Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; and Md. Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, leaders of the Bus Owners Association, City Corporation administrators, and other stakeholders were also present.