Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has urged construction companies and property developers not to obstruct public movement by leaving construction materials on roads and footpaths. He also called for effective dust-control measures at construction sites to curb air pollution during the upcoming dry season.

The minister made the remarks on Sunday (October 11) at a review meeting with representatives of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) at the ministry’s conference room.

He said companies involved in construction and repair work must comply with environmental regulations. He also stressed the need to gradually increase the use of environmentally friendly blocks as an alternative to bricks.

The minister instructed construction companies to properly enclose construction sites, keep soil, sand and other materials covered, and ensure that vehicles carrying construction materials remain covered during transportation. The wheels of vehicles transporting construction materials and waste must be cleaned before they enter public roads.

He warned against leaving construction materials on roads and footpaths in ways that obstruct pedestrians and other road users or contribute to dust pollution.

The minister also emphasised the need to spray water at least twice a day at construction sites and surrounding areas, with more frequent spraying depending on the level of dust.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said dust-control measures must become part of the daily operations of every construction project. He stressed the importance of assigning designated officials to supervise the covering of construction materials, regular water spraying and waste removal.

He urged REHAB member companies to develop project-based plans to increase the use of environmentally friendly blocks and implement them in coordination with relevant government agencies.

Representing REHAB, its President Dr Ali Afzal and Senior Vice-President Md Abdur Razzak shared their views at the meeting. They urged the government to ensure the quality of construction blocks and take measures to prevent construction costs from rising as blocks replace traditional bricks.

The meeting also discussed proposals to coordinate with the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and other relevant authorities to expand the use of blocks, incorporate their use into building codes and building approval procedures, and rationalise VAT, taxes and import duties on raw materials used to produce blocks.