Publications·December 31, 2023
This report provides a detailed comparative analysis of air pollution control technologies, policies, and institutional frameworks across three major South and Southeast Asian cities: Bangkok (Thailand), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Gurugram (India). The objective is to examine the cities' approaches in implementing air quality improvement measures and identify replicable solutions, gaps, and cross-learning opportunities.
Each city represents a rapidly urbanizing and industrializing context with acute air quality problems, particularly PM2.5 and PM10 pollution. These challenges are driven by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, construction dust, and transboundary factors.
1. Air Pollution Context and Sources
All three cities face similar pollution profiles:
Primary pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, NOx, SOx, CO, VOCs
Major sources: Road traffic, construction dust, open waste burning, small industries (e.g., brick kilns), and diesel generators
Seasonal variation plays a key role—pollution peaks in winter due to temperature inversion and low dispersion conditions.
2. Institutional Framework and Governance
The report compares governance structures and institutional coordination for air quality management:
Bangkok: Led by the Pollution Control Department under Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration coordinates city-level enforcement.
Dhaka: Governed by the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Institutional fragmentation and weak implementation mechanisms are noted.
Gurugram: Part of India’s NCAP (National Clean Air Programme), governed by Haryana State Pollution Control Board and the District Administration. Multiple agencies involved; coordination is improving but still fragmented.
Across all cities, the lack of a dedicated clean air agency or central coordinating body is a common gap.
3. Policy Frameworks
Each city is guided by national or regional clean air policies:
Bangkok: Action plans under the National Master Plan on Air Pollution Control.
Dhaka: Action plans supported by national Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) project.
Gurugram: City Action Plan under NCAP with specified short-, medium-, and long-term targets.
All cities have regulatory instruments such as vehicle emissions standards, industrial pollution limits, and construction dust controls, but implementation and enforcement vary widely.
4. Technology Adoption
The report presents a matrix of technologies adopted or planned in each city:
a. Transport
Bangkok: EV policy push; fleet electrification; fuel quality improvements
Dhaka: Poor adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies; reliance on aging diesel vehicles
Gurugram: EV incentives, CNG infrastructure, enforcement of Bharat Stage VI norms
b. Construction Dust Control
Mechanized street cleaning is active in Bangkok and Gurugram; Dhaka has limited capabilities
Site-specific dust suppression and fencing are poorly enforced in Dhaka
c. Industrial Emissions
Stack monitoring through Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) is expanding in Bangkok and Gurugram
Dhaka’s industrial regulation lacks consistent enforcement and data tracking
d. Waste and Biomass Burning
Bangkok and Gurugram have started promoting waste segregation and biomass alternatives
Open burning remains rampant in Dhaka
5. Monitoring Infrastructure
Bangkok: Extensive network of CAAQMS and mobile sensors; strong public data portal
Dhaka: Very limited real-time monitoring; reliant on manual sampling and outdated stations
Gurugram: Several CAAQMS and growing interest in low-cost sensors and citizen monitoring tools
6. Capacity and Funding Gaps
Across all three cities:
Insufficient local capacity for managing AQM technology
Need for more skilled technicians, training programs, and financial incentives
Weak public-private partnerships in scaling technology deployment
7. Public Awareness and Participation
Bangkok: Runs regular awareness campaigns; uses AQI apps and schools engagement
Dhaka: Lacks structured awareness programs
Gurugram: Medium engagement through civil society and school campaigns
8. Recommendations and Way Forward
The report outlines joint recommendations:
Establish dedicated Clean Air Units in city governments
Promote low-cost air monitoring networks and local R&D
Scale up funding mechanisms and incentives for cleaner technologies
Strengthen cross-city cooperation and knowledge exchange platforms
Introduce mandatory source apportionment studies to better target interventions
Build robust enforcement mechanisms with support from judiciary and civil society
Key Words / Topics
Comparative city analysis
Urban air pollution
Technology gaps
Source-specific interventions
Institutional coordination
Clean transport
Monitoring systems
Transboundary pollution
Public awareness
Policy implementation