Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is a city teeming with energy, ambition, and rapid development. It is home to over 20 million people and acts as the heart of the country's economic, political, and cultural activities. However, it is also home to something far more alarming and dangerous, some of the worst air quality in the world. The thick blanket of smog that often hangs over the city is no longer just a seasonal inconvenience. It is a permanent and growing crisis that demands immediate and sustained attention.
According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report by IQAir, Dhaka ranked among the top five most polluted cities globally. The city regularly records Air Quality Index (AQI) levels that exceed 300, classified as hazardous to human health. On many days, the air is so toxic that even healthy individuals are advised to stay indoors, while children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions suffer disproportionately. The health consequences are dire: chronic respiratory diseases, heart problems, and reduced life expectancy are just some of the long term impacts associated with prolonged exposure to such polluted air.
However, Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, recorded a moderate Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 64 at 10:54am on Thursday, ranking 48th among cities with the worst air quality—better than Dubai (score of 128, ranking 8th).
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Air pollution in Dhaka is not caused by a single factor but rather by a convergence of multiple sources. The construction boom, while a symbol of progress, is often carried out with little concern for dust control or environmental regulation. Brick kilns that use outdated and highly polluting methods operate in and around the city, releasing massive amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere. Vehicular emissions, largely unregulated and worsened by an aging transport fleet, contribute significantly to the city's dirty air. Furthermore, the practice of burning garbage, including plastics and industrial waste, is widespread due to the lack of a modern waste management system.
The problem is exacerbated by poor governance and a lack of political will. Although Bangladesh has several environmental regulations in place, enforcement remains weak. The Department of Environment (DoE) is under resourced and often ineffective in holding violators accountable. Many brick kilns, for example, continue to operate illegally due to political patronage or corruption. Vehicles that clearly do not meet emission standards are allowed to ply the roads without inspection. Construction sites rarely follow even the most basic dust mitigation practices. This regulatory negligence transforms a manageable challenge into a full blown crisis.
Despite repeated warnings from health experts and environmental organizations, the response from the authorities has been lukewarm at best. Government action is often reactive rather than proactive. During international events or visits by foreign dignitaries, temporary measures are taken to reduce visible pollution. Roads are sprayed with water, kilns are shut down for a few days, and fines are issued to a handful of offenders. But once the spotlight fades, the status quo returns. These short term fixes may create the illusion of control, but they do little to address the root causes of the problem.
What Dhaka needs is a long term, integrated urban environmental policy that combines technology, regulation, public awareness, and institutional accountability. The first priority should be modernizing the brick kiln industry. More than 7,000 brick kilns operate across Bangladesh, many of them using century old technology. Transitioning to cleaner alternatives like zigzag kilns, vertical shaft kilns, or adopting block making as a substitute for traditional bricks could dramatically reduce emissions.
The second critical area is vehicular pollution. Dhaka has an aging public transport fleet that emits large amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other harmful substances. There needs to be a strict vehicle inspection and emissions testing system in place, supported by legal frameworks that penalize non compliance. Simultaneously, the government must invest heavily in eco friendly public transportation systems such as electric buses, metro rail expansions, and dedicated cycling lanes. Reducing reliance on private vehicles is not only good for air quality but also vital for reducing traffic congestion.
Urban planning must also be reimagined. The rapid urbanization of Dhaka has come at the cost of green spaces, water bodies, and natural ventilation corridors. Trees are often cut down to make way for new buildings, and wetlands are filled in for real estate projects. This has a direct impact on the city's ability to absorb pollutants. A city cannot breathe without its lungs. Authorities should prioritize the creation and preservation of parks, urban forests, and water retention areas to help counteract the effects of pollution.
Public awareness is equally important. Citizens must understand that air pollution is not just an environmental issue but a public health emergency. Schools should incorporate environmental education into their curricula to raise awareness among the next generation. Media campaigns, community engagement, and civil society activism can play a pivotal role in shifting public attitudes and creating pressure for governmental accountability.
The international community can also play a supportive role. Bangladesh is one of the countries most affected by climate change and environmental degradation. Development partners, donor agencies, and international financial institutions should offer technical and financial support to help the country transition to a greener, more sustainable urban model. This includes funding for renewable energy projects, clean technology, waste management infrastructure, and research.
Dhaka's air crisis is more than just a local issue. It is a symbol of the larger environmental challenges that fast growing cities in the Global South face. It highlights the urgent need to balance economic development with ecological responsibility. The pursuit of modernity must not come at the cost of public health and natural resources. Clean air is not a luxury; it is a fundamental human right.
In conclusion, the choking air of Dhaka is a wake up call that we can no longer afford to ignore. This is a crisis that requires bold vision, consistent action, and unwavering commitment from all sectors of society. If we fail to act now, the consequences will only grow more severe. But if we rise to the occasion, Dhaka can transform from one of the most polluted cities into a model of green urban renewal. The time to breathe new life into the future of our capital is now.
Sheikh Mehzabin Chitra is a University Correspondent of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Bangladesh Post, and a Masters student of the Anthropology Department of the institution.
