Take steps against polluting buses

---

PEOPLE of Dhaka city are no doubt grateful for the measure that led to the withdraw from the roads the worst air polluters : autorickshaws with two stroke engines running on a cocktail of petrol and mobil. Reportedly , the air quality in Dhaka city improved by as much as 25 per cent since the eviction of these polluting vehicles from the city. This was no small gain. But clearly the gain needs to be only further increased. It appears that air quality in the city is again declining due to the operation of other polluting vehicles.

Specially, the polluting buses should now be targeted and taken off the roads. It appears that many buses -- unfit for plying under new regulations -- are still plying after their operators could somehow get certificates afresh from the road transport authority that they are fit for plying. But these vehicles should immediately be withdrawn from the city roads. The law enforcement personnel must take a tough line in the matter.

Stringent application of existing rules and regulations against the polluting vehicles, including fines would persuade owners to take the defective vehicles off the roads. This, in turn, would have a salutary effect on further reducing air pollution.

Therefore, it is necessary to apply the existing rules extensively, rigorously and regularly to limit air pollution in order to go on giving more and more relief to citizens on this score and promote their health.

Abu Imran

Shantinagar

Dhaka