Written by Afifa Shahid
Content Writer and Data Analyst
Dhaka, once called the “City of Mosques” and known for its vibrant culture and warm-hearted people, now feels more like a city choking for air. With every passing day, the capital of Bangladesh grows heavier, not just with its ever-increasing population, but with the weight of the pollution, noise, chaos, and poor urban planning. The city is quite literally suffocating its residents—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
In recent months, the situation in Dhaka has become alarmingly unlivable. The air is thick with pollutants; traffic congestion has reached unbearable levels; noise pollution continues to rise; and access to clean, open spaces is almost nonexistent for the citizens. According to the Air Quality Index, Dhaka often ranks among the world’s top-polluted cities. During peak hours, stepping outside feels like inhaling a mixture of smoke, dust, chemicals, and distress. But it isn’t just the environment. It’s the overall quality of our life. Mental health issues are on the rise, social frustration is growing, and the city’s infrastructure is collapsing under pressure. Necessities like clean water, a proper drainage system, and waste management have become luxuries in many neighborhoods.
Dhaka’s downfall didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of decades of unchecked urbanization, poor policy execution, and a culture of corruption and mismanagement. As the economic and administrative heart of the country, Dhaka attracted millions of people with better opportunities. But the city wasn’t prepared for this explosion. Instead of balanced regional development, everything got centered in Dhaka—jobs, education, healthcare, and business. Housing projects and roads have grown like mushrooms without environmental assessments. Green spaces were sacrificed for concrete jungles. Public transport was ignored in favor of private development. Add to this the weak enforcement of environmental laws, and the result is a city twirling out of control.
People in Dhaka are not just tired—they are exhausted, frustrated, and angry. The commute that should take 20 minutes takes over an hour. Children grow up breathing toxic air and playing in unsafe, unhealthy, overcrowded spaces. Elderly people and those with respiratory problems live in constant fear of illness. The psychological toll is also severe. The noise never stops. The heat is unbearable. The crowds are everywhere. Peace feels like a dream, especially for middle- and lower-income citizens who can’t afford an air-conditioned escape or a weekend outside the city. In short, Dhaka feels like a pressure cooker that could explode at any time.
If this trajectory continues, Dhaka may soon become uninhabitable for millions. Already, many who can afford to are migrating abroad. The urban poor & middle class, however, remain trapped in slums and informal settlements with zero protection against environmental hazards. With climate change worsening and temperatures rising, a city like Dhaka, with its poor drainage systems and extreme population density, is dangerously vulnerable. It won’t take much—a major flood, earthquake, a prolonged heatwave, or a severe public health crisis—for the city to collapse under its own weight.
What Must Be Done: Urgent and Real Action
We’ve passed the stage of warnings. What Dhaka needs now is action. Here’s what must happen:
- Decentralization: The Government and private sectors must promote balanced development in other cities to reduce pressure on Dhaka.
- Public Transport Investment: Expand and modernize public transport, including buses, trains, and pedestrian infrastructure.
- Strict Environmental Regulation: Enforce air quality, noise control, and green building regulations with real consequences for violators.
- Urban Green Spaces: Prioritize parks, tree planting, and open public areas in urban planning.
- Community Awareness and Participation: Educate and involve the public in waste management, energy-saving practices, and local governance.
- Smart Planning: Use data-driven urban planning to anticipate growth and prevent future collapse.
Dhaka is at the edge—but it hasn’t fallen yet. The soul of the city still survives in the resilience of its people. But resilience has its limits. We cannot expect citizens to endlessly adapt to worsening conditions. The burden must shift to policymakers, planners, and institutions to reclaim this city from the brink. Also, let’s stop treating suffocation as normal. Dhaka deserves better. And so do its people.
