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Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has urged the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) to play an active role in promoting environmentally friendly construction and reducing dust pollution from building activities.
He made the call at a review meeting with a REHAB delegation at the ministry’s conference room on Sunday, where participants discussed measures to control air pollution in Dhaka and across the country during the upcoming dry season, curb construction-related dust and increase the use of eco-friendly concrete blocks as an alternative to bricks.
The minister stressed the need to ensure effective dust-control measures at construction sites during the dry season and urged companies involved in construction and renovation to comply with environmental regulations. He also called for a gradual increase in the use of environmentally friendly blocks instead of traditional bricks.
He said construction sites must be properly enclosed, while soil, sand and other building materials should be covered during storage and transport. Vehicles carrying construction materials and waste should also be covered, and their wheels cleaned before they enter public roads.
The minister urged construction companies to avoid storing building materials on roads and footpaths, which obstruct public movement and contribute to dust pollution.
He also emphasised the need to spray water at least twice a day at construction sites and surrounding areas, with more frequent spraying depending on dust levels. Construction waste should be removed promptly in an environmentally sound manner instead of being left in open spaces or burned, he added.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said dust-control measures must become part of the daily operations of every construction project.
He stressed the need to appoint designated officials to oversee the covering of construction materials, regular water spraying and waste disposal.
He also urged REHAB member companies to develop project-specific plans to increase the use of environmentally friendly blocks and implement them in coordination with relevant government agencies.
Speaking on behalf of the REHAB delegation, its President Dr Ali Afzal and Senior Vice-President Md Abdur Razzaq shared their views and urged the government to ensure the quality of construction blocks and prevent their use as an alternative to bricks from increasing construction costs.
The meeting discussed setting targets for the use of eco-friendly blocks in new residential and commercial projects and developing time-bound action plans to achieve them.
Participants also proposed coordination with the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and other relevant authorities to expand block use, incorporating such requirements into building codes and construction approval processes, and rationalising VAT, taxes and import duties on raw materials used to manufacture blocks.
The meeting also underscored the importance of stronger enforcement of environmental regulations at construction sites, collecting project-specific progress data and conducting regular monitoring.
Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Fahmida Khanam, Additional Secretary Dr Md Saidur Rahman, officials concerned and REHAB members attended the meeting.