Dusty Dhaka: A city battling air pollution

Dhaka's air quality has once again been ranked the worst in the world, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 239 yesterday morning, signalling "very unhealthy" air conditions. 

The city has been struggling with poor air quality for years, particularly during the winter months, consistently topping global lists of cities with the worst air quality.

A major contributor to this pollution is the abundance of dust and black smoke, which heavily affects areas like Paltan, Kakrail, Mohammadpur, Lalmatia, Dhanmondi, Farmgate, Gulshan, and Mirpur. 

Dust blankets everything— from tree leaves to small plants, streets, houses, and even iconic landmarks like Doel Chattar, Shapla Chattar, and sculptures at Hatirpool, Eskaton, and Bailey Road. The lack of regular maintenance is diminishing their beauty and durability.

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

Experts warn that this dust not only has significant health risks but also damages the city's greenery and cleanliness. Despite this, efforts by the environment ministry, city corporations, and other authorities to address the issue have been largely invisible.

A stark example of the impact of pollution can be seen at Mohammadpur Bus Stand, where the green leaves of two banyan trees have turned grey due to the dust and black smoke from vehicles. The surrounding buildings' walls and signboards are also coated with dust, and much of the writing on banners has become unreadable due to the thick dust layer.

Shafiqul Islam, a cosmetics shop owner in the area, said that despite sweeping his shop two to three times a day, the dust remains a constant issue. The products in his shop collect dust, which makes many customers hesitant to buy them.

With a score 0f 493, Dhaka topped the list of cities with most polluted air on 5 January. The picture was taken from Satmasjid Road. Md Tajul Islam

He told The Business Standard, "In this area, you can't go without a mask for even a moment. Small cosmetics products can't be cleaned regularly, and when customers come, they see the dust coating, making the items look old. It's also hard to breathe because of the black smoke from buses."

He added that ongoing construction, road digging, and the worsening road conditions are making the dust problem worse every day.

Nilima Haque, a resident of Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, told TBS, "Many of the flower plants that the city corporation planted on the road divider are dying. The trees are covered in dust, and because of a lack of care, the green trees have turned grey.

"The larger trees along the road also have grey leaves from the dust. Even when I keep my doors and windows closed, the furniture in my house gets covered in dust."

On Road-11 in Banani, trees along the road and even parked cars are covered in dust. Abdul Mannan, a car driver, stopped to wipe the dust off his car windows. 

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

He said, "The dust doesn't just affect the windows, it also harms the engine. I have to service my car every week. It's not only in Gulshan and Banani—construction work and damaged roads are everywhere. Even the grass, trees by the lake, and the water are all covered in dust."

A Dhaka North City Corporation official, speaking anonymously, told TBS, "We are working to reduce air pollution and dust, but our resources are much lower than what is needed. Our magistrates are taking action against construction work that doesn't follow the rules."

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

He added, "In winter, dust naturally accumulates, leaves fall, and greenery disappears. This is normal."

Md Khairul Baker, the superintending engineer of the Environment, Climate, and Disaster Management Circle of Dhaka South City Corporation, said, "We have water sprinkling vehicles, but we don't have enough water. It's difficult to control the dust from construction work in various areas. 

"We can't monitor private construction projects. We ask contractors working on roads dug up by the city corporation to sprinkle water and follow the rules, but not everyone listens, and we can't control everyone."

Research by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) in 2022 found that nearly 450,000kg of dust settles on tree leaves in Dhaka every day, equivalent to the weight of more than 112 elephants. As a result, oxygen production in the city has decreased by 20%. 
CAPS also reported that the amount of dust has been rising recently.

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of CAPS, told TBS, "Dust from construction work and black smoke from vehicles are major sources of air pollution in Dhaka. The agencies responsible for controlling these, such as the BRTA, Roads and Highways Department, city corporations, Wasa, and Rajuk, have not succeeded in the past. The Department of Environment alone can't control this."

He added, "There are nearly 100 government projects and thousands of private development works happening in Dhaka now. None of these are following proper construction regulations. A legal solution is needed to tackle the current air pollution. For this, the government must properly implement its initiatives. 

"The government has already taken action against unfit vehicles and activities causing environmental pollution. These efforts need to be continued and enforced by different government agencies."

Quality of Dhaka's air captured at Kalabagan, Dhanmondi on 5 January. Photo: Md Tajul Islam

At an event on Sunday, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said, "To reduce dust in Dhaka, grass will be planted on uncovered road dividers during the upcoming monsoon season. A task force and action group are also being considered to address damaged roads and other challenges contributing to dust."

She added, "To solve the long-term issue of air pollution, we need to improve fuel quality and modernise refinery processes. These changes will require time and significant investment."