The government warned the housing sector about the serious increase in air pollution and dust from construction happening nationwide, including in Dhaka, during the next dry season.
On 11 October 2026, during a bilateral meeting with leaders of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) at the Environment Building in Dhaka, Abdul Awal Mintu—the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change—strongly urged the housing industry to adopt 100% eco-friendly “eco-blocks” (hollow concrete blocks) as an alternative to traditional burnt-clay bricks.
Key topics and environmental rules: The meeting made several strong decisions to manage dust pollution and PM2.5 emissions from construction.
According to the Minister, Dhaka’s air turns “unhealthy” in winter from smoke of traditional brick kilns and dust in the air. REHAB was told to create a timeline for using eco-blocks and using less burnt-clay bricks in private housing projects, just like for government buildings.
Environmental compliance at construction sites: orders were given to follow rules such as placing barriers around buildings under construction, covering sand and cement piles outside, and spraying water frequently to keep dust down. A warning was issued that mobile courts would be conducted and fines imposed by the Department of Environment against developer companies that violate these rules.
Conclusion and ‘Green Page’ Perspective: While urbanization cannot be halted, it is certainly possible to pursue infrastructural development while protecting the environment.
Green Page thinks that using eco-friendly technologies instead of burnt-clay bricks in homes is the best way to keep our cities safe from bad winter air pollution from brick kilns.
