Dhaka, Jul 18 (V7N)- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the authorities to take effective measures to quickly remove unfit, outdated and environmentally polluting buses, trucks and other vehicles from the roads of the capital.
He also instructed the relevant agencies to introduce automatic traffic signal systems at at least 50 additional intersections in Dhaka as soon as possible.
The directives came during a meeting on environmental pollution held at the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday (July 18, 2026). The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister.
The meeting reviewed a range of initiatives aimed at reducing air and noise pollution across the country. Particular emphasis was placed on curbing air pollution caused by brick kilns through rapid implementation of effective measures.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of promoting environmentally friendly alternative technologies for brick production to reduce environmental damage.
The meeting further discussed ways to tackle excessive horn use in the capital. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman instructed law enforcement agencies to enforce existing regulations more strictly to reduce unnecessary noise pollution.
Participants also explored the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and control unnecessary horn use, similar to AI-powered cameras currently used in traffic management systems.
The meeting was attended by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Saimum Parvez, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md. Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Md. Anisur Rahman, and senior officials from various ministries and government agencies.
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