Abstract

In Bangladesh diesel vehicles maintain a uniform share of about 19-20% of total vehicle population. Most of these vehicles are commercial, old and poorly maintained. A recent study identifies buses, mini-buses, trucks, and light and medium duty diesel vehicles as the gross polluters in Bangladesh. The air quality in Dhaka reflects very high particulate matters (PM 2.5) concentration in its ambient air, for which diesel vehicles are primarily responsible. There is an urgent need of an emission control strategy and an enforcement program for Bangladesh in general and the capital in particular to mitigate the adverse effects caused by diesel vehicle emissions. Some strategies include revision of the emission standard, strict inspection and maintenance program, alternative fuel, electronic fuel injection, turbochargers, and catalytic converters for diesel vehicles. Emission control strategy is guided by socio-economic condition, effective but cheaper technology, presence of enforcement infrastructure and sincere desire of government machineries and general population. If these strategies are sincerely implemented, a cleaner and healthier environment can be presented to the future generations.