Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Research

Air pollution is one of a variety of manmade environmental problem. Air pollution
may be defined as an atmospheric condition in which various substances are
present at concentrations high enough above their normal ambient levels to
produce a measurable effect on people, animals, vegetation or materials.
‘Substances’ refers to any natural or manmade chemical elements or compounds
capable of being airborne. These may exist in the atmosphere as gases, liquid
drops, or solid particles. It includes any substance whether noxious or benign;
however, the term ‘measurable effect’ generally restricts attention to those
substances that cause undesirable effects. Air quality has deteriorated both due to
human activities, and natural phenomenon such as wind-blown dust particles etc.
There are two major sources of air pollution in Bangladesh, vehicular emissions
and industrial emissions. Recently, air pollution has received priority among
environmental issues in Asia, as well as in other parts of the world. Dhaka is a
major cultural and manufacturing center. The common types of industries in and
around the periphery of Dhaka are ready-made garment manufacturing, jute,
tanneries, textile, tea processing, fertilizer, cement, paper and pulp, chemicals and
pesticides, food and sugar, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refinery, distillery, rubber,
plastics, and brick manufacturing, assembling buses, trucks, and motorcycles,
assembling radios and televisions.1
Air of Dhaka is being polluted day by day very badly. The major sources of air
pollution are transportation engines, power and heat generation, industrial
1 ‘Bangladesh Studies Pollution Levels,’ IAEA, News Briefs,Vol.11, No. 4(73),
[http://www.banglajol.info/index.php/JSF/article/download/27732/18469, Last Visited on
17.01.2017].

1
processes and the burning of solid waste. Dhaka is fast turning into an inhabitable
city. Dhaka city air reported to containing higher proportion of lead and carbon
mono oxide (CO) must be considered very alarming. Air pollution has become a
matter of great concern for us in recent years. Those who are living in cities in
Asian countries including Dhaka have already realized how seriously air pollution
has been poisoning life and degrading the environment. Faulty vehicles, especially
diesel run vehicles, brick kilns, and dust from roads and construction sites and
toxic fumes from industries contribute to air pollution. Industrialization and
mechanized vehicles are two major sources of air pollution in our country. Those
are unavoidable accompaniments of increased economic activity of any country.
The number of automobiles has been increasing in Dhaka city at the rate of at
least 10 to 20% annually, which has been contributing to air pollution on the one
hand and traffic congestion on the other. The International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) stated in its News Briefs that pollution levels of lead in Bangladesh are
among the world’s highest during dry season, according to Bangladesh Atomic
Energy Commission (BAEC), with levels falling during periods of medium and
heavy rainfall. The volume of poisonous particles in the city air has reached far
beyond the permissible level for human body in recent years.2
The Dhaka city dwellers are always at a serious health risk due to the highly
polluted air, warned health experts. The increasingly high concentration of toxic
elements in the air is causing a foggy blanket in the city sky at present. According
to the website, poisonous carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide,
suspended particulate matter (PM-10) and particulate matter (PM-2.5) exist in
Dhaka's air beyond permissible level for human body. Due to increase of PM-10
and PM-2.5, people lose lung function and suffer from chronic respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases while nitrogen dioxide increase Air Pollution in Dhaka
City: A Burning Issue Islam MS 21 risks of bronchitis and pneumonia. Nitrogen
dioxide causes respiratory infection. Carbon monoxide reduces delivery of oxygen

2 Journal of Science Foundation 2014;12(2):20-21,

[http://www.nature.com/news/environmental-science-pollution-patrol-1.16654, Last Visited
date on 27.12.2016].

2
into the human body, creates severe headache and decreases visual perception and
manual dexterity. Bangladesh has yet to be implemented a National Air Quality
Standard, there are no detail air quality regulations based on which Environmental
Impact Assessment could be done. Very few works have been done on air quality
measurements and national air pollutants estimates in Bangladesh. Government
should strengthen vehicle emission standards, regulations and enforcement.
Measures to reduce fuel demand and improve traffic conditions are also critical to
ensuring a net emission reduction and should be used as a complement to
technical measures.3

1.2 Objective of the Research

1.3 Significance of the Research

1.4 Methodology of the Research

3 [http://www.global.oup.com/academic/product/international-law-and-the-environment, Last
Visited on 14.01.2017].

3
 Chapter 2
GENERAL CONCEPT

2.1 What is Air Pollution

Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car emissions,
chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as
particles. Ozone, a gas, is a major part of air pollution in cities. When ozone forms
air pollution, it's also called smog.4
Some air pollutants are poisonous. Inhaling them can increase the chance
you'll have health problems. People with heart or lung disease, older adults and
children are at greater risk from air pollution. Air pollution isn't just outside - the
air inside buildings can also be polluted and affect your health.5

2.2 Dhaka has Very High Air Pollution Level

Air pollution has become a matter of great concern for us in recent years. Those
who are living in cities in Asian countries including Dhaka, have already realized
how seriously air pollution has been poisoning life and degrading the
environment. People living in major towns of Bangladesh experience the
problems of air pollution in varied degrees.
Faulty vehicles, especially diesel run vehicles, brick kilns, dust from roads
and construction sites and toxic fumes from industries contribute to air pollution.
Industrialization and mechanized vehicles are two major sources of air pollution
in any country. Those are unavoidable accompaniments of increased economic
activity of any country. The number of automobiles has been increasing in Dhaka

4 [http://www.bangladeshenvironment.com/index.php/polution-s/air-polution/291, Last
Visited date on 22.11.2016].
5 [http://www.medlineplus.gov/airpollution.html, Last Visited date on 23.11.2016].

4
city at the rate of at least 10 per cent annually, which has been contributing to air
pollution on the one hand and traffic congestion on the other.
The main pollutants from gasoline powered internal combustion engines are
carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, Sulphur dioxide particulates of
lead compound and unburned carbon particles. Emissions from diesel engines are
smoke, carbon monoxide, unburned carbon, nitrogen oxides and Sulphur dioxide.
What we find is either absence or little effective cooperation of the members
of the public and the concerned agencies with the Department of Environment
(DOE) in implementation of laws and regulations to help reduce air pollution.
DOE gets little cooperation also from the transport owners and their employees
including drivers in this regard. DOE's initiatives for daily monitoring of vehicles
at certain city points sometimes do not succeed due to non-availability of
members of law enforcing agencies.6
In the past our attempts to prohibit plying of old vehicles in city streets
failed either for political reasons or in the face of resistance by transport owners
and their employees. But if our neighboring countries can improve air quality of
their cities by banning use of old vehicles and also relocating some of their
polluting industries, authorities in Bangladesh can also do so.

2.3 Main Source of Air Pollution

Basically, there are two major sources of air pollution in Bangladesh industrial
emissions and vehicular emissions. The industrial sources include brick kilns,
fertilizer factories, sugar, paper, jute and textile mills, spinning mills, tanneries,
garment, bread and biscuit factories, chemical and pharmaceutical industries,
cement production and processing factories, metal workshops, wooden dust from
saw mills and dusts from ploughed land, and salt particles from ocean waves near
the and coastal lands. These sources produce enormous amount of smokes, fumes,
gases and dusts, which create the condition for the formation of fog and smog.
Certain industries in Bangladesh, such as tanneries at Hazaribag in Dhaka City,
emit hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, chlorine, and some other odorous chemicals

6 [http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-31812, Last Visited on 28.12.2016].

5
that are poisonous and cause irritation and public complaints. This may cause
headache and other health problems.

2.4 Vehicular Air Pollution

Air pollution in Dhaka is serious due to increasing population and associated
motorization. Although existing air quality monitoring data is limited, it has been
clearly shown that the average ambient concentrations of suspended particulate
matter (SPM) and airborne lead are higher than the Bangladesh national ambient
air quality standards and much higher than the WHO guidelines. The city's
average SPM levels are about 2 times higher than the Bangladeshi standard of 200
µg/m3 in residential areas and are more than 10 times higher than the WHO
guidelines of 120 µg/m3 (24hours) in commercial areas. Lead levels are also high
compared to other cities in the world. Although there is a lack of time-series data,
the ambient air quality measurements available for 1990 and 1996 onward
indicate that the air pollution is worsening.7

2.5 Air pollution in Dhaka City by Vehicles

Dhaka is the eighth largest megacity of the world and home to 12.75 million
people living in an area of 1353km2.Air pollution is emerging as a major problem
in Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh.
The main sources of air pollution in Dhaka are vehicles, industries
particularly brick kilns, re-suspended dust and biomass burning being the 8th
largest mega city of the world it witnessed a very fast growth of urban population
in recent times which contributed to rising demand for transport services, mainly
the road transport.
Nearly 4,00,000 vehicles now ply on Dhaka city roads everyday of which about
3,00,000 are motorized vehicles that contribute most to deteriorating Dhaka’s air
quality.

7 [http://www.bangladeshenvironment.com/index.php/polution-s/air-polution/291-air-
pollution-in-dhaka-city, Last Visited on 30.03.2017].

6
 Contributing factors for vehicular emission in Dhaka are: poor fuel quality,
poorly maintained vehicles, inadequate transport infrastructure, lack of proper
transport planning and management
Dhaka city’s traffic problems and ambient air quality condition had reached
such a crisis proportion that the challenge of sustaining economic growth and
ensuring reasonable quality of life has become tougher.
Deteriorating traffic and air pollution conditions had prompted the
government to find urgent solutions.
The primary objective of the project is to develop components of an air
quality management system and to reduce human exposure to vehicular air
pollution in Dhaka city only. The project activities subsequently extended to five
Divisional towns under an extended monitoring program.

7
 Chapter 3
CAUSE OF AIR POLLUTION IN DHAKA CITY BY VEHICLES

3.1 Lack of Enforcement of Law

More than 20 million people live in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. As a
consequence, Dhaka city’s traffic congestion problem has grown to alarming
proportions, and it is one of the most challenging issues.
The traffic management systems of Bangladesh are those that were adopted
in the 1980s when the country’s population was only 87 million, and now is more
than 160 million.
New methods of traffic management are not being updated to accommodate
the population growth, and as a result, the growing traffic jams are making the
lives of normal people more difficult.

The Problem
The causes of traffic congestion in Dhaka are many. Starting from the city center,
the skeleton, the structure and the lay-out of Dhaka’s roads are not well-planned
and well-directed, and the population overwhelms the capacity of the road system.
While the Bangladesh government mandates 25 percent of all roads to be paved,
Dhaka has only 7.5 percent.
Even more, 30 percent of the paved roads have additional obstructions to
traffic: hawkers, salesmen, construction materials, waste containers and road-side
stands that are on the pavement rather than on the shoulder of the road. As a result,
vehicles have even fewer lanes to use.8
Dhaka has Several Types of Vehicles
8 ‘Lack of Enforcement of Law,’The New Age [http://www.The New Age.bd.com, Last
Visited on 05.01.2017].

8
Public buses, taxis, microbuses, private vehicles, motorcycles, rickshaws and
more. The increasing population increases the demand for more vehicles on the
streets, and the result is both motorized and non-motorized vehicles occupy the
same streets at the same time.
Rickshaws are a common reason for traffic jams. The number of rickshaws
is very high and they don’t follow any traffic laws.
The public transport system in Dhaka is not adequate or properly-routed.
The three major bus stations, Sayedabad, Gabtoli and Mohakhali do not have
sufficient capacity to accommodate all the buses coming in from other districts,
nor enough buses to handle all the people who want to use the buses for
transportation.
As a result, mini-buses, microbuses and private vehicles that can only carry
a few passengers at a time add to the traffic congestion.
Limited parking arrangements are another major cause of excessive traffic in
Dhaka. It has become a regular practice to park cars on roads because businesses
and apartments do not construct designated parking areas. In addition to the
sources of traffic congestion, the actual condition of the roads contributes to the
transportation difficulties. In most cases roads are winding and twisting, which
results in a larger number of intersections.9
Lack of proper maintenance means drivers are likely to stop or swerve
unexpectedly to avoid bad sections of the road. During the rainy season, the
situation becomes more critical because the roads are sometimes under water due
to heavy rainfall.

3.2 Unfit Vehicles

A huge number of unfit motor vehicles are plying on the city roads of Dhaka in
violation of set laws and posing threat to commuters’ safety, besides contributing
to traffic congestion and environmental hazards.10

9 [http://www.kgou.org/post/bangladesh-capital-city-struggles-traffic-lack-will-change, Last
Visited on 27.12.2016].

9
 The suffering public is only too aware of the total lawlessness in the
transport sector. The alarming number of vehicles on the road without fitness is an
indication of the appalling state of affairs.11
Vehicles without fitness are being given fitness certificates, and vehicles
without fitness certificates are also on the roads. The law enforcement agencies
that should be taking measures against them are turning a blind eye.12
Many of these vehicles have fitness certificates even though they are unfit
while some don’t have the document at all or have expired papers or are entirely
illegal. A total of 87,795 unfit motor vehicles are plying on the city roads of
Dhaka in violation of set laws and posing threat to commuters’ safety, besides
contributing to traffic congestion and environmental hazards.

3.3 Traffic Problems

Over the last few years the transportation problem of Dhaka City has visibly been
deteriorating steadily. Citizens constantly complain about the unbearable twin
problems of traffic jam and air pollution.
In today’s world, the success of a city depends on its economy, which in turn
is dependent on the infrastructure, among other things. The importance of the
infrastructure can be particularly felt by the citizens of Dhaka in its traffic system,
as its congestion reminds us of how important it is to have a good transport
system.
a) We the citizens of Dhaka are suffering because our traffic system is failing
us, as it is resulting in less efficiency in various fields, such as business.
b) Due to traffic congestion, our valuable times and energy are being wasted.
c) The problem of traffic congestion and uncontrolled vehicle emission make
life miserable in Dhaka city causing threat to health.
10 [http://www.mna.com.bd/press/en/unfit-vehicles-plying-dhaka/, Last Visited on
07.04.2017].
11 [http://www.archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/apr/07/87795-unfit-vehicles-ply-
city-roads, Last Visited on 27.02.2017].
12 [http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/unfit-vehicles-are-ticking-time-bombs-160816, Last
Visited on 27.03.2017].

10
 d) Everyday work-hours are unnecessarily wasted due to traffic jam. It has a
great economic impact on production and thus on our economy.
e) Traffic congestions intensify sufferings of commuters keeping people
motionless as well as creating suffocating condition in the streets.

3.3.1 Reasons of Traffic Congestion Are Mentioned Below

1. The minimum road requirement is 25% for a standard city, whereas Dhaka has
only 7.5% road of its total area which is creating huge traffic. Moreover, if we
look at the map of Dhaka city, the road connection of north and south is
comparatively better than east and west which is causing people to take a longer
route to travel.13
2. The district truck and bus travel through heart of the capital city due to no
bypass road. For example, a person who lives in Chittagong must enter Dhaka to
reach Kushtia.
3. The Export Processing Zone (EPZ) which is established near Dhaka
forces the vehicles to move from Savar to Dhaka to Chittagong. Our EPZ is
oriented to bulk products like garments and it must be located near sea port.
4. Every day thousands of people are entering the city as our economic
activity and administration like education, health sector are all Dhaka centered.
There is no attempt for decentralization.14

3.4 Old Technology

3.4.1 Combustion in Internal Combustion Engine

The internal combustion engines are those engines in which the combustion of the
fuel takes place inside the engine cylinder. The distinctive feature of the I.C
engine is that combustion and conversion of heat energy into mechanical work

13 Md. Iqbal Hossain, International Environmental Law Bangladesh Perspective, 5thed.

(Dhaka: Ain Prakashani, 2014).
14 [http://www.assignmentpoint.com/arts/modern-civilization/traffic-jam-dhaka-city.html, Last
Visited on 27.03.2017].

11
occur inside a cylinder. These engines are noted for their high overall efficiency
and low operating cost, lightweight and compactness and constant readiness for
starting. Exhaust emission from internal combustion engine is the major source of
air pollution. Combustion Stoichiometry means relations between the composition
of the reactants (fuel and air) of a combustible mixture and the composition of the
products. These relations depend only in the conservation of mass of each
chemical element in the reactants.15

3.4.2 Two Stroke Engine

Two stroke engines are used in motor cycles and three wheelers in Bangladesh
and other Asian countries. Hydrocarbon emissions from two stroke engines are
high because a significant part of the air fuel mixture escapes unburned into the
exhaust. Particulate emission from two stroke are also excessive because oil is
mixed with fuel, and, recondense into oil particles in the exhaust. Hydrocarbon
emission from single two stroke motor cycle can exceed those from three
uncontrolled passenger cars and particulate emission can exceed those from a
heavy duty diesel vehicle.

3.4.3 Diesel Engine

The increased rate of urbanization in the country will affect the number of
vehicles to increasing rapidly and can contribute more air pollution. The
Department of Environment (DOE) and other related organizations have identified
the two-stroke engines used in auto rickshaws (baby-taxies), tempos, mini-trucks,
and motorcycles as major polluters. Recently, there are about 65000 baby-taxies
more than 296,000 motor vehicles are used in Dhaka City alone.16

15 ‘Military Institute of Science & Technology Bangladesh,‘Bangladesh University of

Engineering &Technology,
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Institute_of_Science_and_Technology, Last Visited
date on 09.01.2017].
16 Jessore Science & Technology University, ‘Bangladesh. Independent University
Bangladesh,[http://www.globaljournals.org/GJSFR_Volume10/6-Analysis-of-Exhaust-
Emission-of-Vehicles, Last Visited on 02.03.2017].

12
 Moreover, the overloaded of poorly maintained old trucks and mini-buses
are also give the city streets emitting smokes and gases. Thus, diesel vehicles emit
black smoke, which contain unburned fine carbon particles is a major problem in
Dhaka city.17

3.5 Lack of Maintenance

A car, being a machine, must be in good condition if it is to function properly.
Badly maintained cars pollute the environment more than those that are well
maintained. They load more greenhouse gases and unburned fuel into the
environment than the smaller cars.18

3.6 Poor Fuel Quality

Diesel, octane, petrol used in Bangladesh is not cleaner as in other developed
countries. The lead concentration of gasoline in Bangladesh is 0.84 gm per liter;
which is mixed at refineries to enhance the anti-knock performance, contributes
primarily to lead pollution. Sometimes 3-wheeler auto and motorcycle uses a
blend of gasoline and lubricating oil which increase air pollution by rising CO,
CO2 , NOx , SO2 , unburned HC and other form of carbon particles concentration
in the air. High sulphur concentration in petroleum, poor fuel quality and
extensive diesel use creates high SOx emissions from automobiles. Usually, CO is
produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon containing fuels. Automobiles
in Dhaka City are responsible for one-half of all man-made NOx emissions and a
greater proportion of SOx and SPM through fuel combustion (CPD, 2004).
Emissions of NOx have steadily increased over the period from 1989 to 1996 as
the result of increased fuel combustion. About 50% to 90% of total emissions of
lead in Dhaka City are from the automobile exhausts (Khuda, 2001). This is
mostly because of the widespread use of lead containing gasoline and the absence
of any emission control strategies. Although the developed countries have

17 [http://www.globaljournals.org/GJSFR_Volume13/6-Analysis-of-Exhaust-Emission-of-
Vehicles.pdf, Last Visited on 1.03.2017].
18 [http://www.importantindia.com/23688/vehicle-pollution/, Last Visited on 2.04.2017].

13
restricted the use of tetraethyl (TEL) in gasoline, the Eastern Refinery of
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) was previously mixing 0.84 gm TEL
per liter fuel. The BPC supplies sulphur free petrol but imports diesel containing
1% sulphur per liter although the international standard is only 0.2% (Khuda,
2001). The government is changing the policy since 2000 to adopt CNG as a
cleaner fuel for the transport sector by converting diesel-engines with the aim of
mitigating air pollution. However, did not achieve any remarkable results yet. Till
a large number or motorized vehicles use high lead-content gasoline or impure
diesel and thus increase the gaseous PM pollutant in the air. However, the
government had come to an agreement for importing lead-free gasoline and
presently the BPC is supplying the lead-free petrol and octane (Rahman and
Nahrin, 2007). People are suffering for different health related problems resulting
from air pollution because of poor fuel quality used in motorized vehicles and
poor local air quality management. So, a strong policy guideline is necessary for
local air quality management.19

3.7 Insufficient Parking Place

More and more people are parking vehicles on busy city streets, arguing that there
is inadequate or no parking space available, subsequently contributing to
anguishing traffic congestion in Dhaka. In most cases, illegally parked vehicles
occupy almost half of the road, particularly in front of shopping malls, markets,
offices and schools.20
A 2014 study by capital’s development authority Rajuk observed that Dhaka’s
transport and traffic management system had no discipline which cost a commuter
10 minutes on an average at each busy intersection.

19 [http://www.eceee.org/ library/ conference_ proceedings /eceee_ Summer_ Studies/

2009/Panel_6/6.246/ paper, Last Visited on 3.1.2017].
20 [http://www.bip.org.bd/SharingFiles/journal_book/20130718120945.pdf, Last Visited on
4.1.2017].

14
 The concerned authorities – Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan
Police (DMP), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Dhaka South City
Corporation (DSCC) and Rajuk – offer no solution.
The DMP is chiefly responsible for the traffic system and enforcing parking
laws, while the DSCC, DNCC and Rajuk are responsible for providing parking
space and monitoring their arrangement.21

Chapter 4
VEHICLES REGULATION ACT

21 Liaqual A. Siddique, ‘Global Environmental Problems of Ozone Depletion and Climate

Change’,Dhaka University studies, Vol. x, June 1998.

15
To support development of AQMP II/CASE a consultant was hired to undertake
an institutional assessment of urban air quality management (UAQM) in
Bangladesh. This report constitutes the assessment.

4.1 Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983

According to the Motor vehicles ordinance, 1983 deals with the rules and
regulation of the vehicles on the road. Vehicles air pollution could be control if the
law is enforce strictly. Dhaka is a largest city in Bangladesh where everyday a hug
number of vehicles running over the road legally or illegally even sometimes the
drivers of the vehicles do not obey the rules and regulation which caused the
traffic jam and then it burning the fuel at a result it create the harmful lead air
pollution.

4.2 Environment Conservation Act, 1995

The driving force for clean air in Bangladesh comes from the Bangladesh
Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (ECA-1995) where the title states “An Act
to provide for conservation of the environment, improvement of environmental
standards, and control and mitigation of environmental pollution.”22
The Act creates the Department of Environment (DOE). The DOE mission
statement is:
“To help secure a clean and healthy environment for the benefit of present
and future generations, through the fair and consistent application of
environmental requirements, supported by direct action on critical environmental
problems that demonstrate practical solutions, and that galvanize public support
and involvement.”23

22 [http://www.documents. worldbank.org/ crated/.../ 689630ESW0P103010July 070, Last

Visited on 8.3.2017].
23 [http:/www.bangladeshenvironment.com/.../air.../295-status-of-air-quality-and-state-of-artc.,
Last Visited on 8.04.2017].

16
4.3 Environment Conservation Rules, 1997
To support the Act, the Environment Conservation Rules, 1997 (ECR-1997), were
enacted. The rules contain requirements for sources of air pollution, and other
environmental contaminants, to obtain a Clearance before a pollutant source can
be built or modified. The Rules also enumerate many environmental standards for
specific sources of emissions, e.g., brick kilns, coal fired power plants and cement
plants to name just a few.24

Chapter 5
CASE STUDY

5.1 Case Study

Farooque vs. Government of Bangladesh
24 Bangladesh Urban Air Quality Management,
[http://www.documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/456251468210889617/Bangladesh-
urban-air-quality-management-an-institutional-assessment, Last Visited on 18.04.2017].

17
Writ Petition No. 300 of 1995 (2002.03).
Issue: Vehicle Pollution Case: Application for Directions re: Fuel Quality,
Catalytic Converters, Inspection Center and Horns.

Fact
The case of the petition in brief is that the problem of air pollution from faulty
motor vehicles has been universally identified as a major threat to human body
and life by various scientific research, studies, investigations, reports, surveys
conducted by various persons, agencies, institutions, both national and
international and the agencies of the Government have highlighted the issue in
their various reports and publications.The most threatening urban center is Dhaka
which is the capital of the country. Amongst those the air pollution, especially
from the faulty motor vehicles, have choked the air of the Dhaka City.Such
violations and the consequences are clearly visible in the Dhaka City which need
no evidence to anyone who has been to the Dhaka City.

The degree of vehicular, pollution in the Dhaka City areas has exceeded all
limits and such concerns are being raised by public and private bodies and
individuals repeatedly through the news papers and the state controlled electronic
media of the country the proposed Environment conservation Bill, 1994 which has
been approved by the Cabinet and is pending for placement before the parliament,
has incorporated a separate and specific provision in section 6 only on this issue
with higher penal sanction.
The Second Meeting of the National Environment Committee held on 04-05-97
being presided over by the Hon’ble Prime Ministers, included the pollution caused
by the hazardous emission from motor vehicles as the first agenda for discussion.
It was disclosed in the said meeting that 70%-80% of the motor vehicles plying on
the streets is not road worthy. The measures recommended by the said Respondent
include, among others, the following

18
 a) Take a greater attempt regarding fitness of vehicles. Gradually phase out
two-stroked engine vehicles and ban the plying of such vehicles that are
older than three years.
b) Direct the Eastern Refinery to provide lead-free petrol.

a. Effectively implement existing laws to prevent the use of high

noise making horns.
Judgment
Dhaka City one of the worst in the world, due to audible vehicular sounds and
emission of hazardous black smoke from faulty and arrogant motor vehicles is
indeed over due. Hence, in the prevailing situation, in our view ad-interim
directions as sought for by the petitioners are necessary. Accordingly the
following directions are given:-

1) To enforce Rule 114 (d) of the Bengal Motor Vehicles Rules 1940 and
section 139 of the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983.
2) To conduct tests of vehicles in the 5 Vehicles Inspection Centers already
handed over to BRTA within 6 (six) months and to issue certificate of fitness of
the vehicles including Motor Cycle (Two wheelers).
3) To implement the decision of the respondents for converting all
government owned patrol/diesel driven vehicles plying in the Dhaka Metropolitan
City into C.N.G operated vehicles within 6 (six) month.
4) To implement the decision of the respondents to set up six more C.N.G.
filling stations in Dhaka City by December, 2002 and also to set up more CNG
filling station from time to time to meet the requirements of vehicles and CNG
stations be maintained properly round the clock.
5) To implement decision of the respondents that all Motor vehicles from
July 2001 be fitted with catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter by
December, 2002.

19
 6) To set Bangladesh standard for petroleum in accordance with the
international standards ensuring the reduction and removal of toxic and hazardous
constituents from the same.
7) To phase out existing 2 stroke 3 wheelers by December, 2002 and to
replace it with cleaner transport alternatives;
8) To impose ban on new licenses for two stroke 3 wheelers in Dhaka
Metropolitan City and cancellation of 9 years old licenses of baby taxis with
immediate effect. The respondents are directed to submit reports every six months
of actions and results of the above directions to this court.25

Chapter 6

25 Md. Jahid Hossain Dolon,‘International Environmental Law with Bangladesh Perspective’

3rded. (Dhaka: Titu Prakashani, 2014).

20
POSSIBLE SOLUTION OF VEHICULAR AIR POLLUTION IN
DHAKA,
RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

6.1 Strictly Enforcement of Law

To develop a proper guidepost for air quality management in Dhaka, the
government should adopt a Clean Air Act that specifies the policies and timelines
for cleaning the air in polluted areas, and establishing the legal authorities needed
to achieve the goals. This is one of the most important policy actions the
government can take to focus attention and resources onto the air pollution
problem. There are many examples of such acts in other countries, and some of
those have been reviewed to develop a guideline for how to develop such an act in
Dhaka.
Enforcement of regulations:
1. Regulation of removing older buses and trucks should be enforced.
2. All motor vehicles should be inspected yearly for emissions.
3. No motor vehicle should be allowed without fitness certificate.
4. Number of private cars should be regulated.
5. Use of cleaner fuel should be mandatory.
6. Regulation for controlling construction dust should be developed.
7. Regulation for controlling toxic industrial emission should be strictly enforced.
8. Law of conservation of water bodies needs to be enforced.
9. Uncontrolled dumping of municipal waste should be punishable offence.26
6.2 Punishment for Violation of Traffic Rules

Section 137 : General provision for punishment of offence

According to section 137 of Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983 Whoever
contravenes any provision of this Ordinance or of any one [ rules or regulations]
made thereunder shall, if no other penalty is provided for the offence, be

26 Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations, 2013.

21
punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred Taka, or, if having been
previously convicted of any offence under this Ordinance he is again convicted of
an offence under this Ordinance, with fine which may extend to four hundred
Taka.27

6.3 Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Programs

The devices installed by automobile manufacturers are extremely successful in
minimizing the pollution from the exhaust and from evaporating fuel. The
implemented programs have been implemented to ensure the control devices.
These programs require periodic checks of the exhaust and the evaporative
controls. If the vehicle fails the inspection, the owner is required to provide the
required maintenance and have the vehicle re-inspected.

6.4 Develop Traffic Management

Traffic congestion is one of many serious global problems in both developed and
developing countries. Dhaka city, the capital of Bangladesh has an experience in
population growth with severe traffic congestion and mismanagement of traffic.
The intolerable traffic congestion of Dhaka City has become an everyday certainty
and a nightmare for the city dwellers. It can be easily concluded that Dhaka has an
overpopulated, over-congested and over-polluted city.28 Years of negligence,
mismanagement, haphazard and improper planning and political instability have
led Dhaka to this present predicament. Dhaka is one of the top ten worst cities of
the world. And traffic congestion and mismanagement are the prime reasons
behind this ranking. Several steps have been undertaken to reduce traffic
congestion in Dhaka city, such as imposing restriction on the entrance of trucks in
Dhaka during daytime, banning rickshaws indifferent roads, changing the time
table of the trains, changing the lanes of public-private transport, construction of
foot over bridges rather than zebra crossings, construction of flyovers, overpass

27 Motor Vehicles Ordinanc,1983, Art. 137.

28 [http://www.bip.org.bd/SharingFiles/journal_book/20140128165157.pdf, Last Visited on
5.04.2017].

22
and so on. In addition, a traffic signal system was introduced, investing a huge
amount of money. Though buses, trucks, rickshaws, trains and pedestrians have all
been blamed for the congestion in Dhaka, after imposing restrictions on them the
congestion level did not reduce. In this regard it is important to understand the
reasons for ongoing congestion and the mechanisms likely to reduce it.29

6.5 Develop Fuel Quality

The good news is that ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel was phased in
throughout the U.S. during 2007. Sulfur content had averaged between 300-500
ppm but the new ULSD has just 15 ppm. This is cleaner than Europe’s diesel
which has sulfur levels of 50 ppm.
When the new fuel is coupled with newer clean diesel engines (phased in
from 2006) with diesel oxidation catalysts — particulate emissions are reduced by
about 90 percent.
Reducing the sulfur will make a very significant improvement to air quality
by reducing the fine particles so prevalent in diesel exhaust.
a) Way ahead of schedule — the Metropolitan Council, with help from the
MPCA and the Department of Commerce, contracted to purchase about
four million gallons of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel in the summer
of 2004.
b) New clean diesel engine technology became standard on all new highway
diesel engines manufactured after 2006 and maximizes emission
reductions when combined with ULSD.
c) In 2007, sulfur was reduced to just 15 ppm for highway vehicles. When
used in vehicles with new diesel technology, the health benefits are

29 S. Osman, ‘Dhaka’s Traffic Problems: Opportunities and Suggested Solutions, 2010’,

‘Strategic Transport Plan for Dhaka (STP, 2007)’Dhaka Urban Transport Plan (DUTP,
2004),
[https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/eae3/36112d581d3aa8317347c0c534f6fdab23ab.pdf, Last
Visited date on 29.12.2016].

23
 significant and point to a brighter future as older diesel vehicles die out or
are retrofitted.30

6.6 Use of New Technology

The world of air pollution control is highly technical and generates enormous
amounts of data, especially in the air monitoring program. One of the problems
encountered in this institutional assessment was the lack of knowledge in DOE as
to how many sources of air pollution there are in Bangladesh (or even in Dhaka
for that matter), how many have a clearance, how often the equipment has been
inspected or source tested, how many sources have been found in violation, what
was done with those violations, and where the sources are located, without
manually going through paper files, to name just a few shortcomings of the DOE
data base.
The GoB has a unique and excellent opportunity to become state-of-the-art
in air quality information technology as it starts up the Air Quality Cell. The IT
effort should be one of the first programs to get started in the AQC. As part of its
startup, there should be a comprehensive needs assessment of the future IT needs
within the AQC. This is so the clearances, emission inventory, and inspection
program databases can be linked together in one common database. It would be
especially helpful if the data base was linked to a GIS data base. It is also
important to ensure the air monitoring program will have a strong data base to
work from to support its QA/QC program, and to easily provide long-term air
quality trends reports. Once the CAM stations are up and operating the
Bangladesh air quality database will grow rapidly.
In the US, the technical programs were created before the age of computer
miniaturization. This resulted in very costly software programs being developed
later on to merge technical programs that were created on paper in isolation from
each other. Many areas of the US still do not have a consolidated database for

30 [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/cleaner-fuels-help-clean-air-minnesota, Last Visited on

06.04.2017].

24
their inventory, permits and inspections. Bangladesh is uniquely situated to avoid
this costly problem and do it very effectively with current computer technology.

6.7 Public Awareness

About 25 percent people of Dhaka city have been suffering from lung disease
owing to the extreme level of air pollution. Dhaka is also one of the most densely
populated cities in the world, with an estimated population of more than 8 million.
Air pollution has emerged as an acute problem in the city. Blackening of the city
air and reduced visibility can be observed at times.31
Occurrence of choking smells and irritated eyes are common, as mentioned
by Khaliquzzaman, in his report, which was published at the Consultative Meeting
on Integrated Approach to Vehicular Air Pollution Control in Dhaka held between
April 26-27, 1998. According to the WHO report 2001, the lead concentration
found in the blood of children in Dhaka was up to four times higher acceptable
levels.32
Organizations like BAPA (Bangladesh Poribesh-Dhuson Andolon–
Bangladesh Environmental Improvement Organization) and BES (Bangladesh
Environmental Society), as well as many others, are working very hard
individually or in collaboration with each other to remove air quality problems by
arranging seminars, organizing rallies, writing papers, creating awareness on air
pollution and doing research how to reduce air pollution.33

6.8 Recommendations
Vehicles air pollution is one of the most problem of Dhaka city of Bangladesh,
everyday vehicles emission are increasing from various reasons but there no
effective step to remove the problem which is one of the most causes of lack of
enforcement of law, and for this no cases filed against any persons or any
31 ‘Air Pollution in Dhaka City’, New Nation,[http://www.New Nation.com//news/88801/25-
pc-city-dwellers-victim-of-air-pollution.html, Last Visited on 18.04.2017].
32 [http://www.patimes.org/air-pollution-kills-15000-bangladeshis-each-year/, Last Visited on
7.04.2017].
33 The World Bank Report, 2012.

25
authority who makes vehicles air pollution by the violation of environmental law
and related all others law like Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983, Environment
Conservation Act, 1995 and the Environment Conservation Rules 1997, So that
the illegal activities are running fast because they know that
Typically, emission control program requires massive behavioral change
among thousands of drivers; among those who test and repair vehicles; and,
among those who manage, oversee, and enforce such programs. However, it is
possible with committed leadership, the right institutional design, and the right
incentives. Road side emission testing experiences offer the following
recommendations regard to pollution control from the vehicle sector:
a) Massive awareness program on Vehicular Emissions Standards,
maintenance of vehicles and emission impact on health to be
undertaken very soon all over the country.
b) In-use vehicle emissions standards should be revised and strict
enforcement of the emissions standards is essential.
c) 20-year-old buses and 25-year-old truck to be dumped forcefully and
all diesel vehicles must stop plying in Dhaka city. 2S-3w must ban as
soon as possible from all major cities.
d) Adequate infrastructure to be built in major cities for the emission
testing or checking in connection with BRTA.
e) All imported vehicles must have an emission compliance certificate
obtained by the vehicle manufacturer or the supplier from an
internationally accredited emission testing laboratory/agency and
showed for clearance of vehicle imports and also at the time of vehicle
registration.
f) Adequate infrastructure for maintenance of vehicles to be developed.
g) AQ Cell staff should be trained up through this ongoing Road side
emission testing program. Practice of QA/QC should be adopted for
increasing reliability of tests and minimizing false passes. More
realistic system based on dynamometer tests is to be developed in the
long run.

26
 h) Establish more number of CNG stations in others city where CNG is
accessible.
i) Campaigns like “No Pollution Week/Pollution Month” should be
taken up by the city corporation with DoE to increase awareness for
I&M.

6.9 Conclusion
The problem of traffic congestion and uncontrolled vehicle emissions make life
miserable and causing threat to health and economic loss as well. Public transport
service and air quality situation of Dhaka City is continuously deteriorating every
year and imposing huge cost on the society. Though there is little information on
human health, there is clear evidence that the air quality in Dhaka is harmful for
the city dwellers and it is causing not only discomfort but also several diseases
including allergy and asthma. Such a problem needs immediate attention from the
policy makers. As vehicle and emissions is a major contributor to air pollution, it
is possible to improve air quality by reducing the vehicle stock through improving
the public transport system service. Government should strengthen vehicle
emission standards (VES), regulations, enforcement and measures to reduce fuel
demand and improve traffic conditions. Improved public transport facilities of the
city could solve the transport and congestion problems, as well as improve the air
quality.
Bangladesh has yet to be implemented a National Air Quality Standard,
there are no detail air quality regulations based on which Environmental Impact
Assessment could be done. Very few works have been done on air quality
measurements and national air pollutants estimates in Bangladesh. Author is
willing to extend his assistance in doing any projects related to road traffic
pollution in Bangladesh.34
Mainly Motor vehicles, especially two-stroke engine vehicles are an
increasingly important source of air pollution emissions in Dhaka. Further

34 [http://www.bangladeshenvironment.com/index.php/polution-s/air-polution/291-air-
pollution-in-dhaka-city, Last Visited on 10.04.2017].

27
understanding of the sources of air pollution, the contribution of vehicles to air
pollution emissions, and the characteristics of vehicular emission control measures
is necessary to design a cost effective action plan. It is recommended that
government will undertake actual measurement of emission factors, complete the
emission inventory, and conduct an investigation on emission control measures. A
set of cost effective technical measures are already available for controlling
pollution emissions by two strokes 3-wheelers.Government should strengthen
vehicle emission standards, regulations and enforcement. Measures to reduce fuel
demand and improve traffic conditions are also critical to ensuring a net emission
reduction and should be used as a complement to technical measures.35

35 ‘United Nations Environment Program, State of the Environment: Bangladesh’,

[http://www.rrcap.ait.asia/Publications/bangladesh, Last Visited on 18.04.2017].

28
 REFERENCES

Books and Article

1. Md. Jahid Hossain Dolon, ‘International Environmental Law with Bangladesh
Perspective, 3rd ed. (Dhaka: Titu Prakashani, 2014).
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3. Liaqual A. Siddique, ‘Global Environmental Problems of Ozone Depletion and
Climate Change’, Dhaka University studies, Vol. x, June 1998.

Statutes
1.Motor Vesicles Ordinance,1983.
2.Environment Conservation Act,1995.
3. Environment Conservation Rules,1997.

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