Dhaka Suffocates in Smog as Govts Ignore Air Pollution Crisis

Dhaka, a city known for its cramped alleyways and relentless traffic, has become a suffocating urban nightmare, enduring some of the world’s worst air pollution. Residents, trapped in thick smog, struggle to remember the last time they inhaled fresh air. Experts warn that the crisis is escalating, with deadly health risks looming over the city as pollution levels surge to alarming heights.

The city's air is dominated by black fumes from countless vehicles—private cars, buses, motorcycles, CNG-powered auto-rickshaws, and double-decker buses. Ongoing construction projects, brick kilns, and industrial emissions exacerbate the already poor air quality. Worse yet, pollutants from neighboring countries are compounding the toxic mix.

Nearly 35% of Bangladesh’s air pollution originates from transboundary sources, yet the government has yet to implement any substantial measures to address this regional crisis.
A City Struggling to Breathe

Since Bangladesh's independence in 1971, Dhaka has morphed into one of the world's most densely populated cities, with an average vehicle speed of a mere 4.5 km per hour—just above walking pace. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), Dhaka regularly ranks among the most polluted cities on the planet. On February 19th, at 9:00 pm, Dhaka led the global AQI leaderboard with a "very unhealthy" score of 209.

The Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) revealed that pollution levels reached their highest in nearly a decade in December, and worsened further in January, with AQI readings exceeding 300—categorised as “hazardous” for health. In 2023, Bangladesh’s average concentration of PM2.5 particles was a staggering 16 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limits.
Understanding Transboundary Air Pollution

Dr. Abdus Salam, a chemistry professor at the University of Dhaka, explains that transboundary pollution refers to airborne contaminants that cross national borders. Pollution from the Himalayas, as well as neighboring countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, and China, severely impacts Bangladesh’s air quality. The problem intensifies during winter months when polluted air from these countries drifts into Bangladesh.

“The finer the particles, the further they travel and the longer they stay airborne,” Dr. Salam notes, referencing his 25 years of research. He explains that about 30-35% of Bangladesh’s air pollution comes from external sources.

Prof. Ainun Nishat, former vice-chancellor of BRAC University, echoes the sentiment, stressing that while pollution is not deliberately transported between countries, coordinated regional action could significantly mitigate the issue.
Debunking Common Myths

Contrary to widespread belief, road dust isn’t the primary culprit behind Dhaka’s air pollution. Dr. Salam clarifies that large dust particles can’t penetrate the lungs and thus don't pose significant health risks. The real danger lies in ultrafine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can deeply infiltrate the lungs and bloodstream.

Old, poorly maintained vehicles are among the leading contributors to Dhaka’s pollution, with CNG-run vehicles and outdated cars generating a vast number of ultrafine particles. “We need stricter vehicle emission standards, the phasing out of older cars, and the promotion of cleaner fuel alternatives,” Dr. Salam insists.
Path to Solutions

Addressing the transboundary air pollution crisis will require diplomatic dialogue with neighboring countries, Dr. Salam suggests. "We must push for cleaner emissions on all fronts while reforming our domestic policies."

Strengthening pollution laws, improving urban infrastructure, and enforcing industrial compliance with environmental standards are also crucial steps. Countries in the region—India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, and Bangladesh—must collaborate to tackle the crisis effectively.

Professor Nishat advocates for sharing air quality data across borders and conducting behavioral studies to raise awareness. "If India warns us when pollution levels rise, we can alert our citizens and take preventive measures,” he adds.
Why Dhaka Is So Polluted

The root causes of Dhaka’s air pollution are manifold. Key contributors include emissions from vehicles, industrial pollution, and construction dust. "Inefficient fuel combustion in older vehicles produces black smoke, while overloaded trucks exacerbate emissions,” says Professor Nishat.

Additionally, construction projects that stir up large amounts of dust—often from uncovered materials like sand and cement—only add to the problem. Brick kilns surrounding Dhaka, particularly in Gazipur, release substantial amounts of smoke and particulate matter, which is then carried by the wind into the city.
The Delhi Lesson

Professor Nishat points to New Delhi’s pollution woes as a warning. "Farmers in northern India burn crop stubble during harvest season, which results in extreme pollution in Delhi. This practice, while cheap, causes serious environmental consequences," he observes.

Dhaka faces similar challenges, but with more regional cooperation and policy enforcement, significant improvements can be made.
The Kathmandu Roadmap: A Lost Opportunity

The Kathmandu Roadmap, launched in December 2022 by Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, promised to reduce regional PM2.5 levels to 35 micrograms per cubic meter by 2030. Unfortunately, the initiative has stalled, with no notable progress made. An anonymous official from Bangladesh’s Department of Environment admitted that the roadmap is now largely ineffective. “No action has been taken since its adoption,” the official said.

Environmental advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan also expressed frustration, stating that Bangladesh hasn’t even succeeded in tackling its own domestic air pollution, let alone implementing a regional plan.
The Health Toll

The Health Effects Institute reports that air pollution is the second leading cause of premature death worldwide, only after high blood pressure. Short-term exposure can trigger asthma, heart attacks, and strokes, while prolonged exposure raises the risk of chronic respiratory diseases and even early mortality.

In Bangladesh, air pollution reduces life expectancy by six to eight years, Dr. Salam warns. "Every year, 150,000 to 200,000 Bangladeshis die due to air pollution," he says. "The economic cost is staggering, with pollution costing the country around 5% of its GDP—equivalent to Tk 1.6 trillion ($15 billion)."

“The damage is generational,” Dr. Salam concludes. “If we fail to act now, we risk losing an entire generation to pollution-related illnesses.”