'Shut illegal brick kilns in 15 days to reduce air pollution'

The High Court ordered the government to conduct mobile court drives to shut the illegal brick kilns in five districts -- Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj and Manikganj -- in 15 days for reducing air pollution.

At the same time, the court ordered the government to form a high-powered committee headed by environment secretary in order to formulate a guideline to reduce the air pollution in and around Dhaka city.

The committee members will include the chief executive officers of Dhaka North and South City Corporations, representatives from WASA, BRTA, DESCO and other agencies.

The court asked the committee to submit a report by January 5 next year before this court.

The HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader passed the order following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) seeking a necessary order.

The capital had the worst air quality in the world yesterday, according to Air Visual, an air quality measuring application.