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Dhaka Leads Global Air Pollution Rankings with 'Very Unhealthy' Air Quality
Rtv News
06 Jan 2025, 09:04
Photo: File Picture
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has once again claimed the top position among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality reaching alarmingly unhealthy levels.
As of 8:30 am on Monday (January 6), Dhaka's Air Quality Index (AQI) score was 266, placing it in the 'very unhealthy' category.
Following Dhaka, Delhi in India ranks second with an AQI score of 254, Hanoi in Vietnam is third with 253, and Batam in Indonesia holds the fourth position with a score of 197.
AQI Classification
- A score of 0-50 is considered good.
- A score of 51-100 is moderate.
- A score of 101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
- A score of 151-200 is unhealthy.
- A score of 201-300 is very unhealthy.
- Scores above 300 are deemed hazardous.
Poor air quality poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Causes and Health Impact
Experts attribute Dhaka's persistent air pollution to key factors such as emissions from brick kilns, vehicle exhaust, and dust from ongoing construction projects. These contribute to a rise in respiratory illnesses, persistent coughing, lower respiratory tract infections, and even mental health issues like depression.
Global Air Quality Rankings
Notably, the rankings and data were published by IQAir, a Swiss-based technology company that monitors air quality. The AQI provides daily updates on air quality, helping people understand how clean or polluted their air is and whether it poses any health risks.
Efforts to address Dhaka's pollution crisis remain a critical priority for improving public health and overall living conditions.
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College Student Commits Suicide in Narsingdi After Writing a Note
Miftahul Hasan Pratik (18), a college student ended his life by hanging himself in a hostel in Narsingdi. He was a 12th-grade student at Abdul Kadir Molla City College.
On Tuesday (December 10) around 4:30 pm, his body was recovered from a room at "City House," a private student hostel in the Basail area of Narsingdi town.
Miftahul Hasan Pratik lived in the hostel to pursue his studies. He hailed from Mahmudul Hasan Sohag of Dhobaura Upazila in Mymensingh district.
Before his death, Pratik left a note:
"Samia, I couldn't keep my promise to you. You gave me enough priority. Study well, follow your family's wishes, and go far in life."
The assistant hostel superintendent of City House Nadimul Islam said that after college hours, Pratik's roommates found the room locked and called out to him. Receiving no response, they tried to peer inside through a gap in the door and saw Pratik hanging. The students then informed others, broke the doo,r and entered the room. His friends rushed him to the district hospital where the duty doctor declared him dead.
Abdul Kadir Molla City College's acting principal Md Herem Ullah Ahshan said, "Pratik lived with his friends in a private hostel outside the college. After hearing about the incident, I went to the hostel. There I found a handwritten suicide note and a balloon with a girl's name written on it."
The superintendent of Narsingdi District Hospital Dr ANM Mizanur Rahman said, "A student named Miftahul Hasan Pratik was brought to the hospital dead. There were black marks on his neck. Initially, it seems to be a case of hanging. The exact cause of death will be known after an autopsy."
Narsingdi Additional Superintendent of Police Md Kalimullah stated that police have visited the spot. "The body has been sent to the Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy. It seems to be a suicide, but we are investigating. "The actual facts will be revealed after the investigation and the autopsy," he added.
Attempts to contact Md Emdadul Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Model Police Station over the phone were unsuccessful as he did not answer the calls.
Mother-Daughter Died in a Truck-Auto Rickshaw Collision in Kurigram
A head-on collision between a truck and an autorickshaw in Bhurungamari, Kurigram resulted in the deaths of a mother and her daughter. Three others were critically injured during the incident.
The accident took place at around 11:30 am on Wednesday (December 11), on the Sonahat Landport Road in the Ghunthighor area of the upazila.
The deceased are Mohammad Ali's wife Momena Begum, and their daughter Munni Akter, all from Goynarkuti village in Sonahat Union, Bhurungamari.
According to the police and eyewitnesses, Mohammad Ali was traveling from Sonahat to Bhurungamari with his wife Momena Begum (55), daughter Munni Akter (25), and son-in-law Shohor Ali (30) in an auto-rickshaw. When they reached the Ghunthighar area, their auto-rickshaw collided head-on with an oncoming truck. The collision severely damaged the auto. Driver Babur (18), and the four passengers including Mohammad Ali's family, were critically injured.
Local people rescued them and rushed them to the Bhurungamari Health Complex, where Munni was declared dead by the duty doctor. Momena Begum also passed away later.
Bhurungamari Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Munirul Islam confirmed the incident and stated that the police had been sent to the scene. The truck driver and assistant fled the site but the truck was detained by locals.
Panchagarh Shivers as Temperature Drops to 9°C
The northern district of Panchagarh is shivering at the lowest temperature. The dense fog combined with biting cold has left the entire region in distress. With the intense chill and freezing winds, the temperature has dropped to 9°C.
On Friday (13 December) at 6:00 am, the temperature at the Tetulia Weather Observation Center in the district was recorded at 9°C. Previously, on Thursday at 9:00 am, the temperature in this district was recorded at 12.6°C.
The Meteorological Department states that when the temperature ranges between 8.1 and 10°C, it is classified as a mild cold wave. According to this definition, a mild cold wave is currently sweeping over Panchagarh.
Jitendra Nath, the in-charge of the Tetulia Weather Observatory, said, "The temperature has dropped to 9°C. At 6:00 am today, it was recorded at 9°C. This is classified as a mild cold wave. Although the sun was visible through the fog in the morning, the northern region continues to shiver under the cold wave accompanied by chilly winds."
Oil to Flow Dhaka via Pipeline, Saving Tk 2.36 Billion
The construction of a 250-kilometer pipeline has already been completed. If all goes as planned, fuel oil will start flowing from Chattogram to Dhaka through this pipeline by March next year. This will result in savings of approximately Tk 2.36 billion, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh's energy transportation system.
According to officials from the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the implementation of this project will not only reduce fuel transportation costs but also ensure an uninterrupted supply chain. Moreover, it will contribute to reducing environmental pollution.
Currently, fuel oil is transported from Chattogram to Dhaka via river and road. However, this process often faces disruptions for various reasons. Additionally, the cost of transportation through rivers and roads is high, and there are frequent allegations of oil theft. During the dry season, reduced navigability in waterways further complicates transportation.
To address these challenges, a project titled "Transportation of Fuel Oil through Pipeline from Chattogram to Dhaka" was approved in October 2018. However, construction work started in 2020. Initially, the project was scheduled to be completed by December 2022, but the deadline was extended twice with the latest deadline set for December this year.
The project's initial cost was estimated at Tk 28.61 billion, but it was later revised to Tk 36.99 billion. It is being implemented by the 24 Engineer Construction Brigade of the Bangladesh Army.
According to BPC sources, the annual demand for fuel oil in Bangladesh is about 6.5 million tons. In the 2023–24 fiscal year, 6.7 million tons were supplied with diesel accounting for 75% of the total demand.
BPC also mentioned that 40% of the country's total fuel demand is consumed in the Dhaka division. Currently, oil is transported to Dhaka by first shipping it from Patenga in Chattogram to depots in Narayanganj's Godnail and Fatullah via waterways and then by road to Dhaka. Around 150 small and large vessels are used for this transportation every month, costing Tk 2 billion annually.
Once the pipeline becomes operational, the project is expected to generate an annual revenue of Tk 3.26 billion, while expenses for operations, maintenance, fuel, electricity, and land lease will amount to Tk 900 million. This will lead to annual savings of Tk 2.36 billion.
Projections suggest that the project's investment will be recovered within 16 years.
Regarding the project's progress, Md. Aminul Haque, the project director appointed by BPC, said that construction work will be fully completed by December. After commissioning trials, the pipeline will be ready for full-scale fuel transportation.
When asked about the commissioning timeline, Anupam Barua, BPC's Director of Operations and Maintenance stated that commissioning is expected to begin in January, followed by staff recruitment and training. Full-scale fuel transportation is scheduled to start in March.
National Memorial Ready to Honor Brave Martyrs
December 16 marks Victory Day, and the nation will celebrate its 54th anniversary this year. The National Memorial in Savar has been cleaned, painted, and decorated with colorful flowers and lights to honor the heroic martyrs whose sacrifices brought this victory.
Preparations include comprehensive security measures across four layers, ensuring a fitting tribute to the glorious occasion.
Standing on 108 acres of land, the National Memorial bears witness to the red and green history of the Liberation War. As in previous years, extensive efforts over the past month have ensured that the memorial is cleaned, maintained, and adorned with vibrant flowers for the grand celebration of Victory Day. Painting, lighting, and other beautification works have been completed.
With the rising crimson sun, the President, the Chief Adviser, and a massive crowd will gather at the memorial. The concrete martyr's altar will be covered in a blanket of flowers.
The nation is eagerly awaiting the moment to pay homage and show love to its greatest sons and daughters. Both the elderly and the younger generations will come together to express their respect and love for the martyrs. For security, CCTV cameras have been installed inside and outside the memorial, and hundreds of security personnel are deployed alongside round-the-clock surveillance by intelligence agencies.
The three armed forces have completed their rehearsals to ensure a ceremonial and dignified observance of the day by the President and the Chief Adviser.
Jomela, a caretaker of the National Memorial, shared her feelings: "We have been working at the National Memorial for many years. While we could not participate in the Liberation War ourselves, we are deeply proud to maintain the graves of those whose sacrifices broke the chains of oppression and brought us independence. Just as our forefathers told us stories of freedom, we will proudly pass on to the next generation the story of how we prepared and cared for the martyrs' graves and the memorial with utmost dedication."
Mizanur Rahman, Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Department in Dhaka, stated: "All preparations for honoring the martyrs at the National Memorial have been completed under the direction of the Public Works Department. After the President and the Chief Adviser pay their respects, other dignitaries, including advisers, secretaries, diplomats, and key figures, will lay their wreaths before opening the memorial to the public."
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) for Dhaka Range, A.K.M. Awlad Hossain, remarked: "Comprehensive security measures have been implemented by Dhaka District Police for Victory Day at the National Memorial. Watchtowers have been set up in various locations, and intelligence teams are actively monitoring the area.
Around 3,500 police personnel will be deployed for security in and around the memorial. We have already enveloped the entire area in a security blanket, extending from Aminbazar in Savar to the National Memorial."
On Victory Day, the National Memorial will be adorned with countless flowers, reflecting the respect and love of the masses. After the President and Chief Adviser pay their tributes, the memorial will be opened to the public. Subsequently, leaders from the BNP and various political and social organizations will also pay their respects.
Former Chhatra League Leader Nishita Nodi Arrested
Police have arrested Nishita Iqbal Nodi, former Vice President of the Dhaka University Shamsunnahar Hall unit of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).
She was detained late on Saturday night (December 14) from the Bashundhara residential area in the capital.
Confirming the matter to the media, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (DB) Rezaul Mallik stated that Nishita Iqbal Nodi was arrested based on specific allegations and information. She is reportedly implicated in multiple cases.
It is worth mentioning that on October 23, the interim government banned the Awami League’s affiliate student organization, Bangladesh Chhatra League, and officially listed it as a proscribed entity.
Four Pairs of Commuter Trains Launched on the Dhaka-Joydebpur Route
Four new pairs of commuter trains have been introduced on the Dhaka-Joydebpur-Dhaka route, making travel between these locations more convenient for passengers.
On Sunday morning (December 15), the official inauguration took place at the Joydebpur Railway Station in Gazipur. The event was presided over by Muhammad Faujul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Railways.
During the inauguration, he announced plans to further enhance rail travel by increasing the number of commuter trains on several routes, including Dhaka-Narsingdi, starting from March 26.
The event was attended by the Railways Secretary, Gazipur's Deputy Commissioner, and other railway officials.
News of the new train services attracted a massive crowd of passengers at the station from early morning. Expressing their excitement, residents of Gazipur remarked that the trains would significantly reduce the travel distance between Gazipur and Dhaka.
The trains operating on the Gazipur-Dhaka route are:
Turag Commuter-1, Turag Commuter-2, Turag Commuter-3, and Turag Commuter-4
Joydebpur Commuter-1, Joydebpur Commuter-2, Joydebpur Commuter-3, and Joydebpur Commuter-4
It has been reported that these trains will stop at stations including Dhaka Airport, Tejgaon, Banani, Tongi, and Dhirashram. Additionally, the Turag Commuter will not operate on Fridays, while the Joydebpur Commuter will remain closed on Saturdays.
