TIB praises govt’s decision for mandatory use of blocks for construction
Pressing for the use of blocks for all private constructions as well, the TIB demanded that the decision be implemented in an effective way, in a bid to tackle pollution
The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) lauded the government's decision to make mandatory the use of environment-friendly blocks instead of bricks for construction under all government projects.
The TIB also considers it very encouraging that the government targets to take the use of blocks to 100 percent by fiscal year 2024-2025.
Pressing for the use of blocks for all private constructions as well, the TIB demanded that the decision be implemented effectively, in a bid to tackle pollution.
In a press release on Thursday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the decision to use environment-friendly blocks in Bangladesh is very encouraging.
But the benefits depend on the effective implementation of the decision, he said.
Moreover, there is no alternative to expediting the use of environmentally-friendly bricks and renewable fuels in improving air quality by banning the use of soil-burnt bricks in all types of public and private construction, he added.
Dr Zaman believes that apart from tackling the damage, caused by conventional brick kilns, air pollution and environmental catastrophe, it is also very essential to take concerted and immediate efforts to save brick-kiln workers who work in awful conditions.
"The new decision will help reduce the use of soil-burnt bricks in government projects by 30 percent only and it will not help us reach our desired goal," he said.
Apart from this, if the use of block is not made compulsory for private construction by law, and if the subsidy is not provided for production, supply and the use of block, the decision will not be effective, he added.
Recently, Dhaka has become one of the most air-polluted cities in the world which shows the alarming degradation of air pollution in different cities across Bangladesh, causing a great threat to the health of people.
Especially, during the winter season, the main source of air pollution is kilns and unplanned development activities.