With the cold of winter behind us, what continues to be a persistent issue for the citizens of Dhaka is the air quality, with the AQI reading being over 200 on a daily basis, making our capital, as always, among the most polluted cities in the world.

It is disheartening how such a grave crisis has become normalized and routine. Bangladesh has repeatedly topped global lists of air pollution, with average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels nearly 15 times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe guideline.

Research shows air pollution is now the leading risk factor for death in Bangladesh, responsible for more than 200,000 deaths annually, and reducing the average life expectancy by numerous years. Most disheartening is how children suffer disproportionately from respiratory illnesses, impaired development, and long‑term health complications as a result of our perpetual poor air quality. The World Health Organization has linked nearly half of stroke and heart disease deaths in Bangladesh to polluted air.

It is safe to say that this is, and has long been, a public health emergency in addition to an economic burden as well. With a newly elected government now in place, it would be a moral failure if this issue continued to be left unaddressed. 

The solutions are neither novel nor unattainable, but regardless of the administration in power have consistently been overlooked. The very minimum we can do is have stricter enforcement of emission standards, regulation of illegal brick kilns that continue to mushroom despite court orders, investment in clean public transport, and expansion of urban greenery - solutions that are all within reach. What is required is political will and urgency.

The government must act decisively, not with half‑measures but with a comprehensive plan that prioritizes clean air as a fundamental right. Future prosperity and stability in this country cannot be built on poisoned lungs.