HC issues 3 more directives to keep Dhaka's air pollution in check
Expressing serious concern over the current levels of air pollution in Dhaka, the High Court today issued three new directives on the authorities concerned to keep this pollution in check.
If the current level of air pollution is not reduced, public health will be at risk, the HC said while passing the order on a writ petition.
Among the new directives, the HC asked the director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence to take necessary steps to spray water from its vehicles on urgent basis in the city's entry points including Gabotli, Jatrabari, Purbachal, Keraniganj and Tongi.
The Fire Service and Civil Defence will do this apart from their main duty of putting out fires, the HC said.
The managing director of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) has been ordered to take measures to supply sufficient water to Dhaka city corporation authorities for spraying it on the streets.
The court also asked Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) to spray water on the roads in a manner that it also covers the small trees planted on road islands so that air pollution is reduced.
The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Mohammad Ali came up with the order while hearing the writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).
The bench also ordered the authorities to submit separate reports after complying with the directives in 30 days.
Earlier in the day, DNCC and DSCC submitted two separate compliance reports to the HC bench through their lawyers saying that they are facing shortage of vehicles and supply of water from Dhaka Wasa for spraying water on the streets.
On January 13, 2020, a HC bench had ordered the government to reduce air pollution in and around the capital and also asked the Department of Environment to shut down illegal brick kilns in five districts, including Dhaka.
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