Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Sunday called on the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) to play an active role in promoting environment-friendly construction.

He made the call at a review meeting with REHAB representatives at the ministry's meeting room at the Secretariat, according to a press release.

The meeting discussed ways to control air pollution across the country, including in Dhaka, during the coming dry season, reduce dust pollution from construction work and increase the use of environment-friendly blocks in construction.

Mintoo said construction sites must take dust-control measures to curb air pollution in the dry season. Organisations engaged in construction and repair work must follow environmental regulations, while the use of environment-friendly blocks should gradually increase as an alternative to bricks, he said.

He said construction sites must be properly enclosed, construction materials such as soil and sand must be stored under cover, and vehicles carrying such materials must be kept covered during transport.

The wheels of vehicles carrying construction materials and waste must be cleaned before they enter roads, he said.

He also urged construction operators not to leave materials on roads and footpaths, which obstructs public movement and causes dust pollution.

The minister stressed spraying water at construction sites and surrounding areas at least twice a day, and more often depending on the level of dust.

Besides, he also underlined the need to remove construction waste promptly and in an environmentally sound manner, instead of leaving it in open spaces or burning it.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam said dust-control measures must be made part of the daily operations of every construction project.

He said designated officials should be assigned to oversee the covering of construction materials, regular water spraying and waste removal.

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

REHAB President Ali Afzal and Senior Vice-President Md Abdur Razzaque spoke on behalf of the delegation.

They urged the government to ensure the quality of blocks and take steps so that using them in place of bricks does not push up construction costs.

The meeting also discussed setting targets for the use of environment-friendly blocks in new residential and commercial projects and preparing time-bound action plans.

Proposals were made to coordinate with Rajuk and other relevant authorities to expand the use of blocks, include blocks in building codes and building approval procedures, and rationalise VAT, taxes and import duties on raw materials used to make blocks.

The meeting also stressed stronger compliance with environmental regulations in construction projects, collection of project-based progress data and regular monitoring.

The ministry’s acting secretary Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary of the Environment Pollution Control and Law Wing Md Saidur Rahman, other officials concerned and REHAB members were present at the meeting.