Dhaka, Sept. 25 -- The government has retreated from its plan to remove old and unfit vehicles from city roads, following threats of a nationwide strike by powerful transport owner and worker associations. This decision came following the severe air pollution and public health risks posed by these vehicles.Dhaka's air is frequently clouded by black smoke, a major contributor to the city's air pollution.

According to report, over 15 per cent of air pollution is caused by these dilapidated vehicles, which pose serious health threats like asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer to residents. Despite legal provisions that prohibit buses and minibuses older than 20 years, trucks and vans older than 25 years from operating, these vehicles conti...