Vehicular Air Pollution in Colombo

In Colombo vehicles are responsible for 60% of the air pollution load. The city is falling into the toxic grip of motorization. Colombo is in the grip of deadly dieselisation: the current level of diesel technology and fuel quality represents very special risk, as diesel vehicle fleet is expanding in a maniacal pace. Diesel vehicles are 45% of the total fleet that already use up more than 90% of the diesel fuel. The policy to under tax diesel fuel and maintain a wide gap with petrol prices is largely responsible for this trend in the region.

Bangladesh is among the least developed agrarian nations in the region, although since its creation in 1971 there has been some growth in its industrial sector. Air pollution and congestion has emerged as a leading concern, especially in major urban areas like Dhaka, with its large fleet of diesel-powerd vehicles. The problem is exacerbated by unplanned industrial expansion and poor transport infrastructure.