Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that treated water from the Meghna River will be supplied to both Dhaka city corporations to help meet the capital’s rising water demand and reduce dependence on groundwater.
He made the remarks on Monday during a visit to the Gandharbapur Water Treatment Plant in Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj, where construction work is nearing completion.
According to the minister, the plant will have a daily water treatment capacity of 500 million litres (50 crore litres) once fully operational. He said the project is in its final stages and is expected to be completed within the next year.
Mirza Fakhrul noted that Dhaka has long relied heavily on groundwater to meet its water needs, a practice that has led to a sharp decline in underground water levels. He warned that continued over-extraction could cause groundwater levels to fall to nearly 1,000 metres, creating serious environmental challenges for the city.
To address this issue, surface water from the Meghna River will be treated and supplied to residents of the two city corporations, he said. The project, valued at around Tk100 billion (Tk 10,000 crore), is designed to provide a sustainable alternative to groundwater extraction.
The minister also announced plans for a second similar project that will add another 500 million litres of treated water per day. Once both projects are completed, Dhaka will be able to receive a total of 100 crore litres of safe drinking water daily.
Mirza Fakhrul, who is also the BNP Secretary General, said the initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring long-term water security for the capital.
Earlier in the day, he reviewed the progress of the project and inspected construction work alongside senior officials.
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