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Dhaka Ranks Second Among World’s Most Polluted Cities, Air ‘Very Unhealthy’
Rtv News
24 Nov 2024, 09:08
Photo: Collected
Air pollution in Dhaka continues to worsen. Especially during winter, pollution levels spike, often placing Dhaka among the top ranks of polluted cities. Today, Dhaka ranks second on the list of the world’s most polluted cities.
As of 8:41 AM on Sunday (November 24), the Air Quality Index (AQI) score for Dhaka was 291. According to air quality standards, this level is classified as ‘very unhealthy.’
Meanwhile, Lahore, Pakistan, ranked first with an AQI score of 399. India’s capital, Delhi, ranked third with a score of 266, while Kolkata, West Bengal, took the fourth spot with a score of 194.
AQI Standards
0–50: Good
51–100: Moderate
101–150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
151–200: Unhealthy
201–300: Very unhealthy
301–400: Hazardous
Health Risks of Air Pollution
Air pollution poses severe health risks, affecting people of all ages. However, it is particularly harmful to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Experts attribute air pollution in Dhaka to brick kilns, vehicle emissions, and dust from construction sites. The effects of air pollution include increased risks of respiratory issues, coughing, lower respiratory infections, and even depression.
About the Data
This ranking is based on data from IQAir, a Switzerland-based air quality monitoring technology company. The daily AQI score provides information on how clean or polluted the air in a city is and assesses potential health risks associated with it.
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Border Killing: Bangladeshi Shot, Body Taken by BSF
A Bangladeshi named Rezaul Karim (26) was killed in firing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at Dhobaura border in Mymensingh. Deceased body was taken across the border by BSF personnel, according to a report.
The incident took place near 1139/9 S Pillar in Munshipara BGB camp, Digalbag border area of South Maizpara Union at around 9 pm on Thursday (October 24). The deceased Rezaul Karim is the son of Abdus Sattar of Narayanpur village of Sherpur district.
Nayek Subedar Hazrat Ali of Munsapara BGB Camp confirmed the matter on Friday (October 25) night.
Talking to some locals, it is known that Rezaul Karim was a drug dealer. Go to India to get medicines at low cost. Locals heard loud gunshots on the border at 9 pm on Thursday. Later that night, Rezaul Karim did not return.
Subedar Hazrat Ali said that Rezaul Karim entered India illegally. He died there. We have received a letter from BSF. However, the letter did not mention the cause of death or why he entered India.
He further said, we will send a letter on Saturday. However, we are not allowed to bring dead bodies through our camp area. Senior officers will decide on this.
Train Schedule Disruption Persists
Although the derailed Panchagarh Express coach has been recovered, the situation remains unmanageable due to damage to the signaling system. As a result, each train is departing three to three and a half hours late.
On Saturday (October 26), not only the journey was delayed, but the railway authorities also canceled the journey of the inter-city Jayantika Express on the Dhaka-Sylhet route and the Agnibina Express on the Dhaka-Tarakandi route.
Meanwhile, passengers returning to Dhaka after a long time are also expressing their anger, blaming the authorities for the prolonged situation.
Railway authorities said that efforts are underway to normalize the schedule. They say the train is still running with the manual signal. Work is underway to fix the signal issue.
Although the carriage of the derailed Panchagarh Express has been recovered, the situation is still beyond control due to the damage to the signal system.
Meanwhile, the railway authorities have formed an inquiry committee into the derailment of the coach. Action will be taken subject to the report of the committee.
It is to be noted that the Panchagarh Express train met with an accident at the Kamalapur railway station area on Thursday (October 24). In this, 3 coaches of the train fell off the line. However, no one was injured.
6 Killed as Truck, CNG Collide in Narsingdi
Six people were killed in a head-on collision between a truck and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at Shibpur in Narsingdi this afternoon.
The accident took place on the Itakhola-Monohardi road in the Pacharbari area of Shibpur on Saturday (October 26) afternoon.
The victims were not immediately identified.
Shibpur Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Afzal Hossain confirmed this.
According to the police, and locals, a CNG carrying passengers from Itakhola was going to Manohardi on Saturday afternoon. When the autorickshaw reached a place called Pacharbari, it collided with a truck going to Itakhola. The CNG was completely twisted. Six people, including the autorickshaw driver and passenger, died on the spot. After receiving the information, the fire service and the police are conducting a rescue operation.
He said that all the victims were passengers of the autorickshaw. Among them, there is a woman. We are currently working to recover the bodies and their identities.
Army Camps to be Set Up in All Housing Areas of Mohammadpur
To combat terrorism, extortion, robbery, and theft in the capital's Mohammadpur area, the Bangladesh Army will establish temporary camps in every housing zone starting Sunday, October 27. Army personnel stationed at these camps will monitor and maintain law and order in the area around the clock.
Major Nazim Ahmed, Deputy Commander of the 23rd East Bengal Regiment, shared this information at a press briefing held at the army camp in Bosila at 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 26.
He explained, "To control the law and order situation, temporary camps will be set up across different housing areas in Mohammadpur from October 27. One camp will be established for every two to three housing zones, from where army members will oversee and maintain order throughout the area."
Major Nazim further disclosed that the 23rd East Bengal Regiment conducted a raid on Saturday, resulting in the arrest of 45 criminals, including two involved in a recent daring robbery at the Bosila supermarket. Several locally-made weapons used by the suspects were also recovered during the operation.
Highlighting the extent of the problem, Major Nazim mentioned that 27 to 28 juvenile gangs have been identified in Mohammadpur, with 30 to 40 percent of their members concentrated in Geneva Camp. "Among those arrested, we have apprehended 15 to 16 key leaders or godfathers involved in extortion and robbery. Office-goers, students, and ordinary people have suffered under their activities," he said.
The army officer also noted that members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the police assisted in the operation, and the detainees have been handed over to the local police station.
Archaeological Excavation / Age of Dhaka City More Than 2,500 Years
Dhaka is 400 years old, such history is known to all. But this history is changing. Archaeological excavations have been carried out inside the former Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road in Old Dhaka. Some of the artifacts found during this period and the existence of ancient forts prove that a huge palace was built here in 1430; That is, a prosperous capital city was in here.
Excavations have found some artifacts, from which archaeologists speculate that human settlement in Dhaka city began even before the birth of Jesus Christ. Between the fifth and second centuries BC. As a result, the age of this town is more than 2,500 years.
Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, professor of the archeology department of Jahangirnagar University and the supervisor of the excavations, presented the findings and surprising information in the discussion titled 'Archaeological Excavation in the Central Jail of Old Dhaka: An Analysis of Dhaka's Early Settlement' held at the Asiatic Society Auditorium on Tuesday (29 October) afternoon.
He said, under his leadership, a group of archeology researchers and students of Jahangirnagar University conducted archaeological excavations in the old central jail from 2017 to 2018. They excavated 11 sites in five locations - the front of the main gate of the jail, the courtyard of Rajnigandha Bhavan, the front of the jail hospital, the Dash Cell, and the western area of Jamuna Bhavan. They found walls, rooms, drains, and wells of an ancient fort. Apart from this, there are many types of archeological specimens including cords, Mughal period metal coins, various types of pottery, and terracotta sculptures.
Sufi Mostafizur Rahman said in the PowerPoint presentation along with the analysis of the pictures and data of these monuments, it was proved from the evidence that there was a palace fort in Dhaka long before the arrival of Islam Khan. The fort was mentioned by Subadar Islam Khan's commander and writer Mirza Nathan in his book 'Baharistan-e-Gayebi', later historians referred to it as 'Dhaka Fort'. Islam Khan lived in this fort. However, after carbon-14 testing at the US Beta Laboratory, evidence from archeological excavations has been found to date back to 1430 AD. As a result, it can now be said with certainty that this fort was built before the arrival of Islam Khan and it is not 'Dhaka Fort', rather, it is consistent to say 'Dhaka's Fort'.
Professor Sufi said, the history of Dhaka before Islam Khan is not clear. It was known from some monuments, including the Binat Bibi Mosque at Narinda, that there was a prosperous settlement here even before the arrival of Islam Khan. But through these excavations, it is proved that not only the town, there was at least one big palace fort and a prosperous city where the Subahdar and his large army of 50,000 soldiers lived.
Apart from this, the more significant finds are some 'Glazed Pottery' (much like ceramic) and 'Rolled Pottery' (smooth and delicately designed), which suggests that Dhaka was inhabited at least from the fifth to the second BC. Because, similar pottery has been found in ancient Pundravardhana (Mahasthangarh) and Wari-Bateshwar and Southeast Asia's India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia. The discovery of this pottery proves that there was a prosperous settlement here in the early historical period. There is a possibility that this town is connected with the ancient Silk Route. According to that source, it was an important trading center and its age is approximately 2500 years.
According to these statistics, Dhaka city has got the status of capital not only four times but seven times. According to the period, the early historical period (sixth century BC), pre-medieval period (sixth to thirteenth century), Sultanate period (thirteenth-sixteenth century), Mughal period (sixteenth-eighteenth century), the colonial period (1757-1947 AD) ), the Pakistan era (1947–1970 AD) and the capital of independent Bangladesh (1971–present).
The chief guest of the discussion meeting, veteran art historian Professor Habiba Khatun said that this discovery will make the new generation more curious about Dhaka. We used to take pride in Dhaka's Mughal heritage for so long. But now there is no doubt that the history of Dhaka city is more ancient. A new history of pride has come before us.
Mohammad Mahbubul Alam, Md Mamun Dewan, Muhammad Sohrab Uddin, Md. Awlad Hossain and Chand Sultana were connected with this archaeological excavation and research.
13 Arrested in Dhanmondi Home Robbery Attempt
13 individuals were arrested in Dhanmondi by a joint team of police and army after forcing entry into a residence and attempting a robbery. Late on Wednesday, October 30, the group entered the home in an organized attempt to create chaos and loot.
Those arrested include: Md. Hasibul Hasan (33), Md. Golam Morshed (32), Mahmudul Hasan Shimul (20), Abu Saleh Hiron (26), Rubel Hawlader (27), Azizul Islam (21), Mahfuzur Rahman (26), Mostafizur Rahman (26), Yasin Arafat (20), Md. Ibrahim (19), Jihad Hossain (19), Abdullah Al Mamun (16), and Sheikh Shahriar Ahmed (16).
During the arrest, five iron rods and five bamboo sticks were seized from them.
On Friday, November 1, DMP Deputy Police Commissioner (Media) Muhammad Talebur Rahman shared these details.
He stated that around 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday, the 13 arrestees, along with four to five unidentified individuals, forced their way into House 13 on Road 13/A in Dhanmondi, intending to steal money, jewelry, and other valuables. They assaulted the security guards and tried to snatch their mobile phones upon entering.
DC Talebur Rahman added that the group damaged several CCTV cameras in the house, rang doorbells, and attempted to break down doors. Responding swiftly, a team from the Dhanmondi 32 police outpost arrived on the scene and, with assistance from nearby security guards and pedestrians, contained the intruders. A police night patrol team from Dhanmondi station and an army patrol team then conducted a joint operation to arrest them.
Following a complaint from the building manager, Abdul Mannan, a case was filed at Dhanmondi police station under the Speedy Trial Act at 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday night.
Legal action against the detainees is underway, and further efforts continue to arrest others involved, according to the DMP official.
DMTCL Announces Closure of MRT Pass Registration
Metrorail gaining popularity as a fast and safe public transport in the congested capital. However, the managing company Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a temporary closure of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) pass registration for travel on Metrorail. At the same time, it has been announced that the renewal of damaged cards will also be stopped.
This information was reported on the verified Facebook page of DMTCL at around 6:30 pm on Friday (November 1).
Due to unavoidable circumstances, the card registration and re-issuance facility will be closed till November 7. DMTCL sincerely apologizes for the temporary inconvenience.
Currently, Metrorail operates from 7:10 am to 9:40 pm, 6 days a week from Saturday to Thursday. Friday is running from 3:30 pm to 9:40 pm.
