| Abstract | The urban air quality in Bangladesh is fast deteriorating and has reached an alarming level.
In Dhaka the levels of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) range 2 to 4 times the national
standards, but up to 12 times worse than the WHO guidelines in the most heavily polluted
traffic corridor. Ambient sulfur dioxide levels (S02) are nearly 5 times the national
standards in commercial areas and nearly ten times above the WHO guidelines. Lead levels
in Dhaka are also high by world standards. Lead pollution reaches its highest level in the air
of Dhaka during dry season. The density of lead in Dhaka's air in November- DecemberJanuary comes to 463 nanograms per cubic meter which is higher than even cities like
Bombay and Mexico.
In Dhaka, transportation is the major source of air pollution. Air pollution is worsening
rapidly due to fast increase in vehicle imports and use, particularly the two-stroke engine
vehicles. Motor vehicles annually emit 3,700 tons of PMlO, 8,550 tons of nitrogen oxide
(NOx), 50,700 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), 21,800 tons of hydrocarbons (HC) and 1.5
million tons of carbon dioxide (C02). Motor vehicles, especially the two-stroke engine
vehicles (Baby Taxis and Tempos are the two common ones) are responsible for increase in
emissions of both local pollutants and green house gases. Rapid growth in their numbers,
poor maintenance, excessive commercial use, fuel adulteration, and lubricant oil quality and
quantity all of are additional reasons that have made these vehicles most polluting. The
shares of the Two-Stroke Engine Vehicle (TSEV) in total vehicular emission of PMlO, HC,
CO, and C02 are 40%, 77%, 44%, and 13%, respectively.
The air quality management program in Bangladesh is at an early stage of its development in
all areas ranging from scientific understanding of the magnitude to institutional structure.
The Department of Environment (DOE), Dhaka division with its limited manpower started
air quality monitoring, from 1995 at few places within Dhaka city. Regarding emission
inventories, mobile source emissions have been prepared. An inventory of industrial and
area emission does not exist. To pursue an effective air quality management program, DOE
needs to be strengthened in terms of trained staff, facilities, and equipmets. It is also facing
legal and inter- organizational coordination barrier to conduct an effective vehic1es
inspection program as well as to take action against the polluters. Thus, vehicles inspection
program is sporadic rather than systematic.
Analysis of existing laws and regulations exhibits weakness in the legal system that seeks to
control vehicular polJution in the country. It needs specific regulations to cover all aspects of
vehicular emission e.g. vehicles, traffic management, fuels, and inspection and maintenance.
Although some positive steps have already been adopted by the Government of Bangladesh
by promulgating the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 and the Environment
Conservation Rules, 1997, these act and rules are not best suited to combat with the present
air pollution situation of Dhaka city. Presently no economic instruments are being applied as
mechanism of providing incentive or levying pollution charges for controlling vehicular air
polJution in the country in general and Dhaka city in particular. This study attempts to make
a case of applying the regulatory and economic instruments as management measures for
improving the air quality in Dhaka city.
The air pollution impacts and control mechanism have been identified through the analysis
of secondary data/infonnation, questionnaire survey and discussion with concerned
officials/experts.The qquestionnaire survey respondents were: households, serviceholders
(the salaried employees of the public sector), roadside small traders, owners Baby
Taxiffempo owners and drivers.
The investigation undertaken for the study reveals that existing vehicular air pollution
management system is very weak in respect of policy instruments, emission standards of
vehicle, standards of fuel and lubricant, traffic rules, inspection and m~intenance, public .
awareness and organizational capacity of DOE. On the basis of the existing situation and the
present extent of application of economic and regulatory instruments to control vehicular air
pollution, recommendations are made for vehicular air pollution control in general and Baby
Taxis/ Tempos emission control in particular by proposing policy measures targeting DOE,
vehicles, fuels, lubricant, alternate fuel, traffic management and inspection and maintenance
and implementation. |