Dhaka, 21 June 2026 (PR) - The Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo has called for a coordinated national effort involving government agencies, private sector organizations, relevant institutions, and the general public to effectively control air and noise pollution. He emphasized that collective action is essential, particularly to address the growing problem of noise pollution.
He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the closing workshop of the project titled “Integrated and Participatory Noise Pollution Control Project”, held on Sunday at the Department of Environment in Agargaon, Dhaka.
The minister said that noise pollution has become a serious public health concern, contributing to headaches, hearing impairment, irritability, loss of concentration, sleep disturbances, and a range of physical and mental health problems. He noted that children and elderly people are especially vulnerable, while individuals with heart conditions face even greater risks. He also pointed out that excessive use of vehicle horns not only damages the environment but also harms drivers themselves, while traffic police personnel are continuously exposed to high noise levels on the roads.
He stressed that noise pollution cannot be controlled through a single project alone, but requires sustained and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Bangladesh Police, and other relevant institutions, along with active public participation. He expressed hope that continued and integrated initiatives would gradually help transform Bangladesh into a noise-pollution-free country.
The minister also informed that several areas are being designated as “silent zones” on a pilot basis. At present, Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan, as well as the area from La Meridian Hotel to Scholastica Secondary School in Uttara near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, have been declared silent zones. In addition, Bangladesh Secretariat, the Agargaon administrative area, and hospitals, educational institutions, and administrative zones across all city corporations are being brought under silent zone regulations.
Project Director Farid Ahmed said that under the project, 2,500 mobile court operations were conducted, resulting in 7,297 cases and fines amounting to BDT 1.08 crore. He added that 6,986 hydraulic horns were seized and destroyed. He also noted that enforcement activities have been strengthened following the issuance of the “Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025”, which has empowered traffic sergeants and senior officials to take stronger legal action.
Secretary of the Ministry, Md. Raihan Kauser, said that noise pollution can be significantly reduced if personnel involved in railways, aviation, transport, and machinery operations are properly trained and made more aware of the issue.
The workshop was chaired by the Director General of the Department of Environment, Dr. Md. Lutfar Rahman. It was attended by BRTA Director (Operations) Mir Ahmed Tariqul Omar, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Md. Anisur Rahman, senior officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Department of Environment, representatives of various NGOs, and members of the media.
