Govt takes 5-yr project to address urban air pollution
Saturday, 1 May 2010
The World Bank (WB) would support the government in implementing a Tk 4.46 billion project on Clean Air Sustainable Environ-ment (CASE) during the next five-year to put a clamp on air pollution in the capital, reports BSS.
The project proposed for interventions in the transport sector and adopting a co-benefit approach to address air pollution along with integrating environment and transport concerns following the rapid urban population growth and high level of air pollution and transport conditions.
Under the project, clean air rules would be framed for the first time in the country bringing all emission sources under the purview of the law with setting standard for every source of emission, the project Director Dr Nasir Uddin said.
"The project is structured into two components- one is 'Environment', which includes addressing brick kiln emissions, and other is- 'Transport', which includes addressing traffic management and engineering issues", he added.
Dr Nasir said the traffic signalling system in the city would be improved introducing solar technology with the signal to keep them operational even at the time of power disruption.
Department of Environment (DoE) will implement the environment component aimed at strengthening the environmental agency's capacity and capability to effectively address air pollution issues and demonstrate the effectiveness and efficacy of new approaches for reducing air pollution emissions through application to the brick industry and the transport sector.
The project will support the newly established Air Quality Cell (AQC) at DoE and improve air quality monitoring, data analysis and reporting, enforcement and control for emissions reduction and brick kilns emissions management.
The 'Transport' component of the project will focus on reducing conflict between motorised, non-motorised transport and congestion, as well as providing safe and better mobility for those who walk and use public transport, particularly, working women.
The project proposed for interventions in the transport sector and adopting a co-benefit approach to address air pollution along with integrating environment and transport concerns following the rapid urban population growth and high level of air pollution and transport conditions.
Under the project, clean air rules would be framed for the first time in the country bringing all emission sources under the purview of the law with setting standard for every source of emission, the project Director Dr Nasir Uddin said.
"The project is structured into two components- one is 'Environment', which includes addressing brick kiln emissions, and other is- 'Transport', which includes addressing traffic management and engineering issues", he added.
Dr Nasir said the traffic signalling system in the city would be improved introducing solar technology with the signal to keep them operational even at the time of power disruption.
Department of Environment (DoE) will implement the environment component aimed at strengthening the environmental agency's capacity and capability to effectively address air pollution issues and demonstrate the effectiveness and efficacy of new approaches for reducing air pollution emissions through application to the brick industry and the transport sector.
The project will support the newly established Air Quality Cell (AQC) at DoE and improve air quality monitoring, data analysis and reporting, enforcement and control for emissions reduction and brick kilns emissions management.
The 'Transport' component of the project will focus on reducing conflict between motorised, non-motorised transport and congestion, as well as providing safe and better mobility for those who walk and use public transport, particularly, working women.