The High Court yesterday demanded an explanation from the authorities concerned as to what steps had been taken to prevent air pollution in four city corporation areas, including Dhaka north and south.

A report has to be submitted by February 25 on the measures taken to remove dust, smoke and other deadly elements from air, which have been causing damage to public health in Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur and Narayanganj city corporations, it said.

The order came in response to a writ petition by Supreme Court lawyers Zulhas Uddin Ahmed and Md Mojibur Rahman.

The lawyers drew the court's attention to a World Bank report, according to which 15,000 people die and 65 lakh people's health is affected in Bangladesh every year due to air pollution.

In the petition submitted on January 17, they also said city corporation sweepers abruptly sweep roads between 7:00am and 8:00am every day and left dusts and waste at the roadside causing air pollution.

Besides, waste materials are burnt sometimes, creating smoke that causes respiratory problems. 

As the petitioners prayed to the court to pass necessary directives in this regard, the HC issued a rule upon the authorities concerned and the city corporations to explain why their inaction should not be declared illegal.

The court also asked the respondents to show cause as to why they should not be directed to remove deadly elements from the city corporation areas to protect people's health.