Dhaka Grapples with Worsening Air Quality as City Expands Rapidly

Dhaka, Bangladesh — As the sun rose over the Bangladeshi capital on Tuesday, a thick haze blanketed the city, reducing visibility and prompting health warnings from local authorities. The Air Quality Index (AQI) for Dhaka measured 248 in the early morning hours, categorizing the air as “very unhealthy” and placing the megacity among the most polluted in the world, according to data from the Department of Environment.

The deteriorating air quality has become a recurring crisis for Dhaka, a city of over 22 million people, where rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and a surge in vehicle emissions have combined to create a toxic cocktail. The problem intensifies during the dry winter months, when cooler temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, but recent readings suggest the issue is now persisting well into the spring season.

Local residents expressed growing frustration. “We cannot open our windows at night, and even during the day, we have to wear masks outdoors,” said Fatima Begum, a schoolteacher living in the Mirpur area. “My children have been coughing for weeks, and the doctor says it is directly related to the air.”

Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to Dhaka’s air can lead to serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Shahidul Islam, a pulmonologist at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, noted a 30 percent increase in patients reporting breathing difficulties over the past month. “We are seeing more cases of asthma attacks, bronchitis, and even early signs of lung damage among young people,” he said. “This is a public health emergency that requires immediate action.”

The government has acknowledged the severity of the issue. In a press briefing on Monday, Environment Minister Md. Shahab Uddin announced a series of measures aimed at curbing pollution, including stricter enforcement of emission standards for factories and vehicles, as well as a crackdown on illegal brick kilns that operate during the dry season. “We are committed to improving Dhaka’s air quality,” the minister stated. “We have formed task forces to monitor pollution sources and will impose fines on violators.”

However, critics argue that such measures have been announced repeatedly in the past without sustained results. Environmental activist Rizwana Hasan, who leads the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, pointed out that political will and coordination among multiple agencies remain weak. “Every year, we see the same promises, but the enforcement is sporadic,” she said. “Without a comprehensive, year-round strategy that includes phasing out older vehicles, expanding green spaces, and regulating industrial zones, the situation will only get worse.”

The rapid expansion of Dhaka’s built-up area is a key driver of the problem. Satellite imagery from the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization shows that the city’s footprint has grown by over 50 percent in the last decade, with construction dust and unregulated development contributing significantly to particulate matter levels. Additionally, the number of motor vehicles in Dhaka has more than doubled, reaching an estimated 1.5 million, many of which run on low-quality fuel and lack proper maintenance.

Internationally, Dhaka’s plight mirrors that of other fast-growing cities in South Asia, such as Delhi and Lahore, which also face severe air pollution episodes. The World Health Organization has listed Bangladesh as having the highest concentration of PM2.5 — tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs — among all countries. A recent study by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute estimated that air pollution in Bangladesh reduces life expectancy by an average of 6.7 years.

In response, some residents have turned to technology for relief. Sales of air purifiers and high-quality masks have surged in Dhaka, with local retailers reporting a 40 percent increase in demand compared to last year. Yet, for many low-income families, such solutions remain out of reach. “We cannot afford an air purifier; we just try to stay indoors when the smoke is thick,” said rickshaw puller Abdul Karim, who works in the Old Dhaka district.

As the city continues to grow, experts emphasize that a multi-pronged approach is essential. This includes investing in public transportation, promoting cleaner fuels, and implementing a regional air quality management plan that coordinates with neighboring countries. Until then, Dhaka’s residents will continue to breathe air that, on many days, is deemed unsafe by international standards.