The government must implement the 12 High Court directives to curb air pollution immediately, including spraying water on the roads and banning black smoke-emitting vehicles, demanded environmentalists.

They made the demands at a discussion, titled "Urgent measures needed to curb air pollution in Dhaka", held yesterday at Dhaka Reporters Unity premises.

Save The Environment Movement, Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB Trust), Jonoudoyg, Nagorik Adhikar Sanrakshan Forum (Nasaf), Green Force, DU Poribesh Sangsad, and environmentalists from Bangladesh Safe Water Movement's jointly organised the discussion.

Speakers said air pollution in the capital has reached a dangerous level. According to AirVisual's air quality index data, 23 days out of the first 24 days of January saw Dhaka's air quality at an alarming level. The air quality index indicated that the air quality was at a hazardous level of 301+ with the highest level of air pollution recorded at 635 on 12th January.

Save The Environment Movement Chairman Abu Naser Khan highlighted the importance of implementing the HC directives, while Professor Adil Mohammed Khan, executive director of Institute for Planning and Development (IPD), emphasised immediate action to improve air quality and protect public health.

"The government is constructing buildings by cutting down the trees. In the last ten years, the number of private cars and motorcycles has increased abnormally, which causes pollution," said Adil.

"Despite the efforts by the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) to reduce pollution, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is not taking any action," said Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon.

Gaous Pearee, director of WBB Trust, said, "The government should prioritise public health and instruct the city authorities to conduct awareness campaigns. "

Public health expert Dr Lenin Chowdhury, Nasaf President Hafizur Rahman Moyna, and Jonoudoyg's Consultant Azizur Rahman Khan Asad spoke at the event, among others.