Bhandal Jhuri water supply project work goes on in full swing

More than 65 per cent work of the 60 million-litre capacity project has already been complete

Our Correspondent | March 12, 2022 00:00:00

CHAT TOGRAM, Mar 11: The work of Bhandal Jhuri water supply project (BJWSP) undertaken by Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA) is going on in full swing.

More than 65 per cent work of the 60 million-litre capacity project has already been completed. The entire project is likely to be completed by June in 2023, sources said.

Project director Mahbubur Rahman said, "The project work has been progressing even during the Covid-19 pandemic. More than 65 per cent work of the project has been completed so far. We hope that the construction work will be completed by June 30 next year."

According to sources, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project on January 5 in 2016. The deadline for completing the project was September, 2020. But the ECNEC extended the deadline until June 2023. It also approved Tk 9.58 billion more for the project. As a result, the total cost of the project has been increased to Tk 19.95 billion.

CWASA appointed South Korean consulting firms--Dong Myeong Engineering Consultants, Architecture Company Ltd and Korea and Consortium--for submitting reports in this regard. As per the reports, CWASA is continuing the work.

Managing Director of CWASA Engineer AKM Fazlullah said, "CWASA now meets only 62 per cent water demand of city dwellers. Water demand is on the rise here due to a growing number of industries and city dwellers. We will be able to meet the demand for water after completing the project."

CWASA is currently supplying around 340 million litres of water daily from Mohora and Rangunia water plants through pipelines against the demand for 500-550 million litres, he added.

BJWSP, which includes a 60-kilometre water supply pipeline, a water treatment plant and two water reservoirs, will generate 60 million litres of water daily. Of the total, 75 per cent water will be supplied to Chattogram south areas, including Patiya, Anwara, Karnaphuli and Boalkhali upazilas.

"Korean Exim Bank is financing the project with soft loan of $47 million from Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). The amount will be disbursed within June 30 next year," he added.

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