Desk Report:
Even the capital’s elite residential areas are no longer free from the risks of air pollution. Driven by dust from construction work, black smoke from vehicles, the burning of waste, and polluted air drifting in from surrounding areas, air quality in neighborhoods like Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Dhanmondi has reached ‘unhealthy’ levels. Experts warn that if this trend of pollution persists, the environmental appeal that makes these areas attractive for living and business could diminish.
On Saturday evening (November 7, 2026), the air quality index (AQI) for Dhaka, as measured by the Swiss-based organization IQAir, stood at 164—a level classified as ‘unhealthy.’ At that time, Dhaka ranked third among the world’s most polluted cities, trailing only Kuwait City and Kolkata.
According to local monitoring by IQAir, the highest level of pollution in Dhaka was recorded near the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) in Agargaon, where the AQI reached 186.
Baridhara Park Road followed with an index of 168. Other recorded scores included 167 at Pragati Sarani (Badda) and Becharam Deuri; 161 in Baridhara Lakeside and Dhanmondi; 160 at Gulshan Lake Park; 156 in Eastern Housing (Banani); and 151 near Grace International School in Gulshan-2. Consequently, all these areas fell into the ‘unhealthy’ air quality category.
On the air quality index, a score of 0–50 is considered ‘good,’ 51–100 is ‘moderate,’ and 101–150 is ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’ Scores between 151 and 200 are classified as ‘unhealthy,’ 201–300 as ‘very unhealthy,’ and any score above 300 is considered ‘hazardous.’ For most of the year, the air in Dhaka remains polluted due to construction activities, road dust, vehicle emissions, and various other human-induced factors. This pollution is not confined solely to densely populated or low-income areas; even the capital’s well-planned, affluent neighborhoods are not spared from its impact.
According to experts, pollution in areas like Gulshan, Banani, and Dhanmondi stems from both local sources and pollution originating in neighboring areas. Smoke from cooking on earthen stoves or burning waste in the Korail slum can drift into the Gulshan-Banani area. Similarly, polluted air from Kamrangirchar has the potential to spread as far as Dhanmondi. Furthermore, dust generated by ongoing excavation and construction work along Pragati Sarani can degrade air quality in Baridhara.
Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Professor of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh, explains that there are geographical and environmental reasons why air pollution persists in affluent, lake-adjacent neighborhoods. High levels of humidity and water vapor in the air above water bodies prevent dust and smoke particles from dispersing easily; instead, these particles bind with the water vapor, become heavier, and remain trapped in the air.
He adds that during the winter, temperature inversions—where colder air settles near the ground while warmer air sits above—create conditions that trap pollutants. This acts as a lid, preventing vehicle emissions and dust from rising and dispersing, causing them to accumulate in the lower layers of the atmosphere.
Dr. Mohammad Enayet Hossain, an Associate Professor in the Department of Soil, Water and Environment at the University of Dhaka, notes that the high density of tall buildings in areas like Gulshan and Banani plays a significant role in exacerbating air pollution.
According to him, the close proximity of these high-rise structures obstructs the natural flow of air. In scientific terms, this situation is known as the “urban canyon effect.” When smoke emitted from vehicles and nearby informal settlements (slums) becomes trapped between tall buildings, the air cannot easily disperse it. Consequently, pollutants remain concentrated near the ground, exacerbating local air pollution levels.
Barrister Omar Sadat, President of the Gulshan Society, identifies exhaust from private vehicles as a major contributor to air pollution in Gulshan and Banani. He emphasizes the urgent need to take action against vehicles that lack fitness certification or emit excessive black smoke.
According to him, a large number of unfit vehicles—many of which emit thick, black smoke—continue to ply the roads of Dhaka. Beyond taking effective action against these vehicles, it is also essential to curb corruption within the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
Meanwhile, stakeholders point out that construction activities are a significant source of dust. They allege that even when protective measures to control dust are mandated at construction sites, they are frequently not implemented properly. Although laws and regulations require such measures, their enforcement remains weak in practice.
Shawkat Ali Bhuiyan (Dilon), President of the Banani Society, notes that extensive construction work is underway in Gulshan and Banani. In developed nations, multi-layered protective measures are employed to control dust during construction. While such laws exist in Bangladesh, their proper enforcement must be ensured.
He further adds that pollution originating from the Korail slum also impacts the surrounding environment. Improving the quality of life for slum residents—by providing essential civic amenities such as hospitals and hygienic markets—is crucial. Additionally, the two city corporations must implement effective directives to stop the burning of waste.
He believes that through the coordinated efforts of various agencies, it is possible to improve air quality not only in Gulshan, Banani, and Dhanmondi but across the entire capital.
Siddhartha Shankar Kundu, Deputy Secretary (Environmental Pollution Control-1) at the Ministry of Environment, stated that the government’s regular activities to control air pollution are ongoing. A committee is also working on this matter. In the committee’s upcoming meeting, these issues will be reviewed in detail to determine future policies and necessary courses of action.
