Expressing serious concern over the current levels of air pollution in Dhaka, the High Court on Sunday ordered the authorities concerned to take effective steps in seven days to stop air pollution in the capital.
It also ordered the authorities concerned to implement the nine directives issued by the same court in February 2020 to stop Dhaka's air pollution and to submit a compliance report before this court by January 23.
The HC bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury passed the order after hearing on a petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) seeking its directive in this regard.
The petition was originally filed in 2019 by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) seeking urgent action to combat air pollution in the capital.
Following the petition, the court issued a rule and asked the authorities to form an expert committee and take preventive measures.
During hearing on Sunday, writ petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told the HC that the air pollution in Dhaka had reduced to some extent after steps were taken to implement the nine directives issued by the court.
But the air pollution is now at alarming stage as no step is taken to implement the directive, he said.
Despite some progress in reducing air pollution by mid-2023, Dhaka recently topped global rankings for poor air quality again due to lax enforcement of court instructions, said Advocate Manzill Murshid.
The court reiterated its nine-point directives for immediate implementation.
Those are covering soil, sand and waste transported by trucks or other vehicles, ensuring construction materials such as soil, sand and cement are covered, sprinkling water on roads regularly by city corporations and ensuring compliance with tender conditions for road and construction works.
