Sylhet Wasa in paper only!

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SYLHET Apr 12: The government authorities are yet to start functioning of the Sylhet Wasa Board though it was constituted in 2022 to improve water supply and sanitation in the city.

The chairman of the Sylhet Wasa is not active in the project due to his old-age complications and political identity. He was the president of the Awami League-backed BMA chapter.

Therefore, the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) cannot fulfil even half of city dwellers' demand for water.

Many have suggested that the government implement the project immediately.

Twenty-four of 27 wards had been under the SCC water supply coverage area.

The SCC has been supplying 40 million (4 crore) litre of water to 50 million (5 crore) litres against the daily demand for minimum 80 million (8 crore) litres in the existing 24 wards. However, total 42 wards in the city has an approximate demand for 125 million (12.5 crore) litres.

Under the ongoing arrangement, 2 existing water treatment plants have been doing treatment of 14 million (1.40 crore) litres collected from the Surma river while 45 deep tube-wells are supplying 30 million (3 crore) litres daily.

But, the existing production went down due to the old machinery and old supply lines, causing much for the city dwellers.

Meanwhile, city-dwellers alleged that the people of the coverage area are also not getting water as per demand.

Former BMA president Prof AKM Abdul Hafiz was appointed the Sylhet Wasa chairman on March 02, 2022, but nothing was done even till the end of Awami League-led government's regime on August 05, 2024.

Prof Hafiz said neither any office was set nor staff was appointed although the Sylhet Wasa board was constituted 3 years ago.

Nur Azizur Rahman, chief engineer (additional charge) of the Sylhet Wasa, said he submitted a detailed report on the required manpower.

Former SCC mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the SCC undertook a project in 2016 to install chengerkhal water treatment plant, but no progress was made yet.

He has demanded immediate functioning of the Sylhet Wasa to set up the water treatment plant.

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