Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam says the days of love, apathy and inaction regarding polluters are gone. Now the time has come for imposing effective penalties to free our environment of pollution.
The DNCC mayor said this while launching the city corporation’s drive against air pollution in the Niketon neighborhood of Gulshan in the capital on Tuesday.
During the anti-pollution drive, a number of people responsible for leaving construction materials sitting by the roadside, and a few homeowners, were slapped with penalties by the DNCC initiated mobile court.
The mayor said: "Sand, stones and other construction materials on footpaths and pavements are a major source of air pollution."
"The city can accommodate sprawling housing complexes, commercial plots, schools, offices, metro rails and large infrastructure. However, no one can be allowed to create a mess and distress for its residents," he said.
Atiqul said: "If you are mindful, then we may get rid of dust and air pollution. It is not possible for the city corporation to spray water all over the city. Contractors must spray water as well."
"I have instructed local executive officers of the city corporation to inspect designated areas and take photos to make an evidence based list of polluters. Only then will we be able to get a real picture of who is doing construction work in compliance [with the law] or not," the mayor emphasized.
Mayor Atiqul also said: "From now on, every new road will have a fire hydrant. We have to adopt new thoughts, technological innovation."
"We must look after and care for public health. Fresh air must be kept free from pollution. Whether it turns out to be me or a new person in the mayor's office, whoever comes, it doesn’t matter. We have to work together to free our air from pollution."
Only 9 days of clean air in Dhaka in last 13 months
Residents of Dhaka have breathed clean air on only nine days in the past 13 months, according to a study by the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution.
Echoing similarity, Dhaka again has been ranked the 2nd worst in Air Quality Index on Tuesday.
Dhaka had a score of 307 as of 1pm, second only to Delhi with a score of 333, with Kabul coming in at number 3 with 264.
When the AQI value is between 201 and 300, city dwellers may begin to experience health effects.
Children, adults, and people with respiratory diseases are advised to avoid outdoor activities while everyone else is suggested to limit outdoor exertion in this situation.
The air quality is categorized as good when the AQI score remains below 50. The air is classified as moderate when the score is 51 to 100. But when the number is between 101 and 150, the air is classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, tells people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
Bangladesh’s overcrowded capital has been grappling with air pollution for a long time. The quality usually improves during monsoon.
16 die from acute respiratory infection across Bangladesh
A total number of 16 people have died due to Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) across Bangladesh.
The deaths occurred from November 1 till December 20, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in an statement issued on December 21.
According to DGHS data, the death toll due to this infection is on the rise.
In Chittagong, nearly 11 people died from this infection, which is the highest among other districts.
However, Acute Respiratory Infection claimed one life in Dhaka, the press statement mentions.
Other divisions such as Rangpur have two deaths, Rajshahi and Barisal have one deaths each.
