Govt shuts down traditional Savar brick kilns, keeps cleaner ones running to curb pollution

Only kilns using cleaner “tunnel” or “hybrid Hoffman” technology will be allowed to continue operating from September

The government has ordered a halt to brick-making operations in Dhaka’s Savar Upazila from September amid alarm over dangerously high levels of air pollution.

Only kilns using cleaner “tunnel” or “hybrid Hoffman” technology will be allowed to continue operating, the environment ministry said.

The move comes after Savar was declared a “degraded airshed” under the country’s 2022 Air Pollution (Control) Rules.

Authorities said Savar’s annual air quality is almost three times worse than the national standard, with pollution drifting into the capital during the dry season and creating “grave health risks” for Dhaka’s densely packed population.

The ministry is hoping that the restrictions would help bring “effective change” in reducing pollution in both Savar and Dhaka and safeguard public health.