Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury has said that buses over 20 years old, which have exceeded their economic life, should be withdrawn to prevent air pollution. In response, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority will send the list of buses of the said age plying in Dhaka city by April 8. The Transport Owners Association will provide a plan to withdraw buses older than 20 years by April 20. There will be no compromise in the larger national interest.
The environment minister said these things in the president’s speech at the discussion meeting organized in the meeting room of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change regarding the control of air pollution on black smoke from public transport and not keeping construction materials in the open and burning of biomass waste.
Saber Chowdhury said that the budget allocation for pollution control in government development activities should be spent on the implementation of pollution control activities. Titus Gas, Electricity Department, Washa, City Corporation will coordinate the development plan related to road excavation. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation has to stop importing diesel with sulphur. The City Corporation shall take necessary measures to ensure that waste is not burnt in the open. Rajuk, City Corporation, Police Department will ensure covering of construction materials during construction. Old vehicles must be scrapped in full compliance with the rules. If RAJUK fails to comply with the relevant conditions of environmental pollution control, the permission of the related construction activities shall be cancelled.