DHAKA, OCT 28 – The Bangladesh government has set a six-month deadline to remove all obsolete vehicles from Dhaka after holding a meeting with transport owners recently.
There are 28,761 registered buses and minibuses that are over 20 years old, according to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. Of these, 10,556 are in Dhaka.
A total of 46,481 registered lorries, lorries and other heavy vehicles have exceeded 25 years. Of these, 14,683 are in Dhaka.
Removing obsolete vehicles will significantly improve Dhaka’s air quality and is important to safeguard public health, Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan told reporters after a meeting at Bidyut Bhaban.
“Without such action, soon there will be no more air to breathe in this city,” he said.
Air pollution which is the capital’s main issue is one of the biggest environmental risks to health.
With over twenty million inhabitants, Dhaka often tops the list as the city with the worst air quality, according to Air Quality Index data.
Older vehicles tend to emit more toxic gases due to incomplete combustion of fuel. The older the vehicle, the more pollution it causes, experts say.
In addition, old and unsuitable vehicles are considered to be one of the main causes of road accidents, they said.
Hasan also admitted that people will face hardship if all old vehicles are removed from the road immediately.
As an aid, the government is studying the possibility of giving loans to transport owners to get new vehicles or buy electric buses, he said, adding that old vehicles can also be converted to electric vehicles (EVs). – ANN/ The Daily Star
