Most government and private infrastructure projects are failing to comply with air pollution control rules and related guidelines, according to experts. They warned that air pollution cannot be reduced unless such projects are brought under strict regulatory oversight, including fines and legal penalties. Fines and punishments, they noted, also serve as important tools for raising awareness.
Speakers at a seminar organized by the Center for Law and Policy Affairs (CLPA) and the Public Health Lawyers Network at the Biswa Sahitya Kendra today emphasized the need to transform the Department of Environment (DoE) into a full-fledged law enforcement agency with powers similar to the police. They also called for amendments to the Environmental Court Act and the Environmental Protection Act to include provisions for administrative fines, citizen lawsuit rights, and authority to freeze the financial accounts of offenders.
Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam presented a study conducted jointly by CLPA and the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) on the implementation of air pollution control rules in infrastructure construction across Dhaka city, based on data from 108 sites.
The study revealed that the majority of air pollution originated from private residential or personal construction (41.67%) and road construction or renovation (31.48%). Other sources included government building construction (8.33%), soil excavation (8.33%), new road construction (7.41%), demolition and cleanup activities (2.78%), and other specialized projects (12.04%).
Monitoring data showed that 95.37% of construction sites lacked proper material covering, leading to widespread dust and particulate matter emissions. 83.33% of these uncovered sites released dust and sand into the air, while only 4.63% had water sprinkling facilities for dust control. Additionally, 87.96% of projects did not cover soft materials such as soil, sand, or cement, and only 10.19% of materials were found properly covered during observation.
Panellists recommended several measures, including:
Mandatory regular inspections of construction sites to ensure compliance with air quality standards.
Imposition of fines for environmental violations.
Requirement to cover materials such as soil, sand, and cement during transport and storage.
Incentives or tax breaks for companies adopting sustainable technologies.
Public awareness campaigns targeting construction workers, businesses, and communities about air pollution management.
Health monitoring programs for workers and residents living near construction zones.
Professor Dr. Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder, Director of CAPS, stressed the urgent need to pass the Clean Air Act, noting that it would introduce strong accountability mechanisms for polluters. Advocate Sultan Mohammad Banna of the Bangladesh Supreme Court proposed the introduction of a “green tax” on polluting institutions. Adilur Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, described air pollution as a “silent killer” and called for strict action against businesses that harm the environment in the name of development. He argued that individuals or companies responsible for environmental damage should not be granted CIP status, stating, “Development that destroys health and the environment is not development at all.”
The seminar was chaired by Professor AFM Sarwar, Advisor to CLPA. Among the speakers were Adilur Rahman (Bangladesh Institute of Planners), Shagufta Sultana (Director, Aid Foundation), Md. Hamidul Hillol (Project Officer, Bureau of Economic Resources), Fahmida Islam (Town Planner, Director, Open Seismic), Can Kozai Sultan Mohammad Banna (Advocate, Bangladesh Supreme Court), Syeda Ratna (Chief Coordinator, Tetultala Math Andolon), Syeda Ananya Rahman (Head of Program, WBB Trust), Advocate Momtaz Mou (Bangladesh Supreme Court), Parveen Islam (Secretary, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Central Committee), Aminul Islam (Head of Program, CLPA), and Professor Dr. Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder (Director, CAPS).