Dhaka, 11 October 2026: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has urged the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) to play a more active role in promoting environmentally friendly construction and reducing dust pollution ahead of the dry season.
The minister made the call at a review meeting with REHAB representatives at the ministry on Sunday. Discussions focused on controlling air pollution in Dhaka and across the country, reducing dust from construction activities and expanding the use of eco-friendly concrete blocks as an alternative to conventional bricks.
Mintoo stressed the need to enforce environmental regulations at construction and renovation sites. He called for covering construction sites and materials, keeping transport vehicles covered, cleaning vehicle wheels before they enter public roads, and avoiding the storage of construction materials on roads and footpaths. He also urged developers to spray water at least twice daily, remove construction waste promptly and avoid open dumping or burning.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said dust-control measures should become part of the daily operations of every construction project. He urged REHAB member companies to develop project-specific plans to increase the use of eco-friendly blocks and appoint officials to oversee dust control, material storage and waste management.
REHAB President Dr. Ali Afzal and Senior Vice-President Md. Abdur Razzaq highlighted the importance of ensuring block quality and preventing additional construction costs as developers shift from bricks to alternative materials.
The meeting also discussed setting targets and timelines for using eco-friendly blocks in new residential and commercial projects, coordinating with RAJUK and other relevant authorities, incorporating block use into building codes and approval procedures, and rationalising VAT, taxes and import duties on raw materials.
Participants emphasised stronger enforcement of environmental rules, project-level progress reporting and regular monitoring to ensure cleaner construction practices.
