special
Solution to pollution: Sprinkling water on Dhaka's roads & construction sites?
Summer or winter, air pollution trends across the seasons in Dhaka. And this year-round air pollution is largely attributed to the same emissions -- construction and road dust.
Construction dust is basically silica dust prevalent at construction sites and is often held responsible for health conditions like asthma. Leftover construction waste also adds dust to air.
Road dust, on the other hand, is loose soil on broken or unpaved roads, and includes vehicular emissions to an extent.
Experts, however, claim to have a quick fix solution for Dhaka's air pollution that peaks during winter and prevails in summer too -- sprinkling water on all construction sites, public or private, and roads to settle dust.
MA Matin, former general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), told UNB that air pollution is increasing day by day in Dhaka due to the absence of an effective control mechanism.
“Dust and sand particles cause air pollution but the city's two civic bodies have to take concrete steps to control the same. The pollution has hazardous health implications that can cause death directly or indirectly."
Professor Dr Najmul Islam, director of the Disease Control Department of the Health Directorate, echoed similar voice.
Read: Dhaka’s air still ‘very unhealthy’
“Pollutants are getting mixed with foods and triggering serious health issues -- from asthma to lung disease and kidney failure. It's high time that the pollution was curbed," he said.
Bangladesh Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin urged all agencies concerned to act in a coordinated manner to control pollution.
“Time and again, we have set up several camps in Dhaka and other big cities to determine the air quality level. However, it did not work and we now need coordinated steps to curb pollution,” he said.
According to the Minister, it’s the responsibility of the two city corporations to keep its roads clean every day. “They must also sprinkle water on the roads to bring down the dust,” he said.
"Several decisions were taken at the inter-ministerial meetings to curb air pollution. Implementation of the measures can give effective results but there is no alternative to coordinated efforts of all agencies."
Read: Winter rain lashes Dhaka, more likely on Thursday in parts of Bangladesh
Footpath vendors doing brisk business ahead of Eid
As Eid-ul-Fitr is knocking on the doors, many poor and low-income people look to be on shopping sprees like the well-off classes, as everyone gets ready to celebrate the biggest religious festival with their near and dear ones.
Shoppers on low-budget are swarming the makeshift shops on footpaths and open spaces for buying dresses of their choices and other desired items, including shoes, sandals, cosmetics and jewelry, at cheaper prices.
Hundreds of temporary shops have been set up on the footpaths and open spaces in the most busy areas of the city, targeting mainly the low-income group of eid shoppers.
According to vendors, many middle-class buyers are also flocking to their stalls as they have outfits of various colours and designs and all other products like that of the posh shopping malls at reasonable prices.
Also read: Dhaka to see Eid exodus from Thursday as millions set to head home
The footpath sellers also said they are drawing good customers as people have got a chance for shopping in full swing after a break of two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Visiting different parts of the city on Thursday and Friday, it was seen that people were crowding around the makeshift shops in Gulistan, Bangabazar, Mothijheel, Baitul Mukarram , Paltan, New Market, Jatrabari, Fakirerpool, Mouchak, Rampura, Badda and Mirpur areas.
The vendors were seen trying to woo customers by displaying various items of girls' attires, children's clothes, cosmetics, men's, wears like jeans and gabardine pants, shirts, T-shirts, panjabis, trousers, footwear, belts, caps, lungis, wallets and toys.
Civic body fails to keep Nachol hydrated
Amid soaring temperatures during the fasting month of Ramadan, residents of Nachol in the northern district have been struggling to get something as basic as potable water.
The aggrieved residents claim that water scarcity is an annual occurance in Nachol, but the authorities concerned have so far failed to provide any relief. In fact, repeated complaints to local civic body officials have only fallen on deaf ears, they say.
Every morning, long queues of people can be seen before water tankers in several areas. The lucky ones get water, others are forced to return home empty-handed.
Abdur Rakib, a resident of ward-8, said, “We get water supply once a day and that's not enough for drinking, cooking, bathing and other purposes. The municipality has hiked taxes but failed to provide water to people.”
“It feels like we are living in a desert amid Ramadan. We have been forced to use water from a nearby pond for cleaning of utensils for the past few days,” Shahnewaj Parvin, a housewife from the area, said.
Local farmers fear that this water scarcity may snowball into a food production crisis. "Without water, we will not be able to water our crops. It's high time that the authorities woke up from slumber," said a farmer.
When contacted, Abdul Malek, assistant engineer of Nachol Municipality, was quick to admit the water crisis.
Read Also: Govt working to resolve water crisis: Minister
Dhaka to see Eid exodus from Thursday as millions set to head home
The mass exodus of the homebound people from the bustling capital Dhaka is expected to begin on Thursday as it is the last workday of government, semi-government and many private offices before the Eid-ul-Fitr.
Experts and officials said city dwellers in their thousands are set to rush towards their respective village homes on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the festival with their near and dear ones.
Also read: Mad rush of homebound people at Shimulia ferry ghat
They, however, said the frenzied rush of home-goers will reach its peak on Friday and Saturday as one-fourth of the total holidaymakers to head for their native villages in the two days amid the worry of sufferings on the highways, train stations and launch and ferry terminals.
Meanwhile, some holidaymakers have already left the capital to avoid possible hassles while many have sent their families to village homes much ahead of the Eid vacation since the educational institutions remain closed.
Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated either on Sunday or Monday subject to the sighting of the Shawal moon.
Talking to UNB, General Secretary of National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways Ashish Kumar Dey said around 1.20 crore people are expected to leave Dhaka and its adjoining areas during this Eid.
Of them, he said 55 per cent (66 lakh) will go home by road, 25 per cent (30 lakh) by waterways and 20 per cent (24 lakh) by trains.
Ashish said an estimated 65 lakh holidaymakers are supposed to leave Dhaka by road, waterway and rail in eight days in between April 20 to 28. “Over 12 lakh people will head home alone on April 28 (Thursday).
Besides, he said the remaining 55 lakh people will leave Dhaka in between April 29 and May 1-2.
Ashis said the pressure of holidaymakers on the road is much higher this time than in the past as the Covid situation became normal during eid occasion after two years. “Besides, the number of train passengers decreased by 5 per cent due to lack of railway’s capacity.”
In the last four days ahead of Eid, he said 60 per cent (33 lakh) out of 55 lakh homebound people will go home by road. “The remaining 25% (13 lakh 75 thousand) and 15 per cent (8 lakh 25 thousand) people will go home by waterways and railways respectively.
A large portion of the 33 lakh road commuters will travel in various types of vehicles, including buses, private cars, microbuses, local buses, trucks, pickup vans and motorbikes.
As the number of different modes of vehicles, including unfit ones, will increase on the roads, Ashis said the rate of accidents may also increase this time.
Similarly, he said the launches will carry 5-6 times more passengers than their capacity.
Ashis said the condition of most of the rivers before the Eid may become risky with the possibility of nor’westers, strong current and gusty winds due to the influence of new moon as the passenger launch accidents in the country’s inland waterways happen at this time mainly for overloading of passengers, faulty vessels, risky competition, mismanagement and lack of trained, skilled and competent crews.
Contacted, Superintendent of Police (SP- Highway) of Cumilla Md Rahmat Ullah said they have full preparation so that no traffic congestion occurs on Dhaka-Chattoagram highway, especially from Daudkandi to Teknaf, during the rush hours before the Eid day.
“We have already made special deployment on the highway from April 24 as part of an initiative to avert traffic congestion. Besides, we have formed 15 Quick Response Team (QRT) and set up six sub-control rooms, “he said.
Rahmat said they have already evicted roadsides temporary bazars on the highway and permanent bazars will not run during the holidays before the Eid.
Replying to a question, he said there is no possibility of severe traffic congestions on Dhaka-Chattogram highway during the upcoming Eid vacations, except light tailbacks on the toll plazas of two bridges.
Contacted, SP (Highway- Gazipur) Ali Ahmed Khan said no serious traffic congestion may occur on six national highways--Dhaka-Tangail, Dhaka-Mymenshingh, Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Mawa and Dhaka-Sylhet highways-- under his jurisdiction.
He said the road conditions are very good while three flyovers on Dhaka-Tangail highway were opened to traffic.
“The other parts of the national highways are also good. The situation is now better compared to anytime in the past. “We hope the holidaymakers will reach their respective destinations without much hassles," the SP said.
He, however, said that the homebound travellers may suffer in different ferry terminals, including Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar and Shimulia-Majhirkandi terminals.
But another official said the holidaymakers may suffer on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Dhaka-Tangail-Rangpur highway and in the area from Elenga to Bangabandhu Bridge due to the heavy pressure of vehicles.
Upto 50% of hotels, motels booked already for Eid holidays
Holidaymakers are set to visit Cox’s Bazar, the longest unbroken sea beach in the world, in droves during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday as 50 percent hotels and motels were booked ten days before the biggest religious festival.
Cox’s Bazar is the most attractive tourist spot in Bangladesh and Eid vacations come with the opportunity of taking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The authorities concerned of many hotels and motels are passing a busy time preparing their respective establishments for tourists.
Also read: Markets, construction works on Dhaka-Ctg highway likely to mount woes of holidaymakers
How a young IT entrepreneur transformed his life in Digital Bangladesh
Munshi Sohag Hossen, who once peddled a van and worked in a shop to pay for his studies, has now turned into a young IT entrepreneur in Magura.
Sohag, a 24-year old youth, still lives with his family at a Gucchagram house in Hazrapur Union under Magura Sadar.
He went to India to pursue graduation in IT in Gujarat Technological University getting Indian ICCR scholarship in 2016.
After completing graduation in India, he returned home in 2020 with a dream to be self-reliant by working in the IT sector as the digital sector of Bangladesh witnessed an impressive progress in recent years.
To meet his dream, he developed a firm named ‘Pollitechs’ in Magura Sadar, which changed his life.
While talking to Sohag recently, it was learnt how a permanent house helped his study and the digital revolution made him an IT entrepreneur.
His family led a refugee life, losing their home and all assets in river erosion in Noakhali in the early 1980s. Then they shifted to Magura in 1986. His mother Shakhina Begum finally got a house in ‘Gucchagram’ made for homeless families in the 1990s.
Unfit launches spruced up for Eid trips; Experts worry about safety of holidaymakers
With less than two weeks left for Eid-ul-Fitr, rundown and faulty launches are being refurbished and repaired to sail on river routes across the country during the huge rush of holidaymakers, endangering hundreds of lives.
At least 30 defective launches are getting a quick facelift with cosmetic repairs at various dockyards in Keraniganj on the outskirts of the city aiming to make a fast buck by carrying passengers of 22 southern districts during the Eid festival.
Experts said the condition of most of the rivers before the Eid may become risky with the possibility of nor’westers, strong current and gusty winds due to the influence of new moon as the passenger launch accidents in the country’s inland waterways happen at this time mainly for overloading of passengers, faulty vessels, risky competition, mismanagement and lack of trained, skilled and competent crews.
They said the government must take strict measures to check the operation of unfit and faulty vessels and overloading and ensure adequate fire safety and lifesaving equipment in each launch to avoid any untoward incident during the mad rush of passengers at launch terminals ahead of the Eid.
Also read: Launch owners’ profit motive makes Eid journeys fraught with risk
Meanwhile, National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) in a report on Tuesday last said the Sadarghat terminal will witness an unusual pressure as 40 lakh people from three districts--Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj--are likely to travel to the coastal districts by launches during this Eid occasion.
It also said there are not enough vessels to carry so many one-way passengers in just 12 days, cautioning that the launches can carry passengers beyond their capacity on decks and roofs during the season of natural disasters like nor'westers and storms.
Dhaka city braces for Aedes mosquito menace after rains
The density of Aedes mosquitoes in the capital Dhaka is more than the previous year which may increase further during the upcoming monsoon leading to a spread of dengue.
Researchers at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) feared that rainfall in the city may be followed by an alarming rise in mosquitoes-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
An outbreak of dengue fever last year claimed 105 lives and sent 28,429 patients to hospital, most of them in the capital city, according to DGHS
Also read: Civic body launches anti-dengue drive in north Dhaka
National Malaria Elimination and Aedes Transmission Disease Control Programme of DGHS, has found the dire situation in a recent survey. The 10-day entomological survey was conducted at 100 sites of 98 wards under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
According to the DGHS, a 21-member team visited around 3,000 houses under the city corporations to complete the survey. It found Aedes mosquito’s larvae in 150 houses which is 4.25 percent of the total figure.
Saidpur rail workshop racing to meet targets ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr
The workers at Saidpur Railway Workshop in Nilphamari district are unusually busy this year ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, racing to finish 50 new bogies that will be pressed into operation during the holidays to ensure smooth travels for the homebound people.
Rail communication is an important way to keep the country of over 170 million moving, especially when it comes to inter-district travel that peaks over the Eid holidays. A bogie is a structure underneath a railway vehicle body to which axles and wheels are attached through bearings.
The workers are working round the clock to meet their target. Besides, the authorities concerned also cancelled leave of the workers to ensure they finish the task.
During a recent visit to the GOH, production machine shop, carriage shop, wheel shop, bogie shop and CHR shop of the factory, our Nilphamari correspondent found them toiling relentlessly.
The workers joined in their workplace around 7am and finished their work around 5pm in 24 departments of the factory.
Read: DMP Commissioner asks city police to step up vigilance during Eid shopping
Some were seen busy colouring the bogies, some in making bogies, some making parts, some repairing wheels, some doing work with welding machines and some were seen repairing seats of the coaches.
Already 30 bogies have been handed over to Bangladesh Railway’s Pakshi and Lalmonirhat divisions.
Moreover, all the workers were working enthusiastically.
Rezaul Islam, a worker of production machine shop, said “We joined at work around 7 am and left the place around 5 pm and during this period we get only 30 minutes break. But we are happy. Generally, the working time here is from 7 am to 4 pm but we are working here till 5 pm to finish our work in time.”
Depression peaking in university students over future job prospects: SUST study
When it comes to life in a post-Covid era, what university students in Bangladesh worry about most is their future job prospects. This is what is taking a toll on their mental health.
This inference can be drawn from a study conducted by Md Jamal Uddin, a teacher of the statistics faculty of Shajalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), and his three students -- Upama Chowdhury, Md Ahosan Habib Suvro and Syed Md Farhan.
The study was conducted from October 2020 to February 2021 through an online survey at 62 universities across the country. Respondents were asked if they were really worried about getting a job in the future and whether that was taking a toll on their mental health.
Also read:SUST to resume classes online from Tuesday
A total of 516 students participated in the survey, the results of which have been published in an international journal.
According to the study, 80 percent of the respondents reported having depression and 70 percent complained of stress. Of them, female students seemed to be the most depressed ones as compared to their male peers.
Among 516 participants, 380 (73.6%) were males and 136 (26.4%) females. While 414 (80.2%) participants had mild to severe depression, 399 (77.3%) reported having low to moderately perceived stress.
Female students were 2.1 (95%) times more depressed and 3.6 (95%) times more stressed than their male counterparts, according to the study.
Students, who thought that delaying graduation due to the Covid-19 pandemic would reduce their chances of getting a job, were 1.72 (95%) times more depressed.
Also read: SUST students suspend movement after meeting with ministers
Respondents, whose department offered internships were 36 percent less depressed, while skilled students were 46 percent less stressed though it was not statistically significant, the study pointed out.
The study also suggested that universities can provide mental health programmes and strive to have enough space for students to participate in internships.
In addition, the government and educational institutions should work together to address this growing challenge of mental health risk, according to the authors.