Bhandal Jhuri water supply scheme nears completion
NAZIMUDDIN SHYAMOL | Thursday, 7 September 2023
CHATTOGRAM, Sept 06: Work on the 'Bhandal Jhuri Water Supply Project' of the Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA) is likely to complete within this year.
Sources said more than 90-percent work on the 60-million-litre capacity scheme has already been done. The total project is likely to be completed within December.
The work was scheduled for completion last June.
However, CWASA can supply water commercially from the project within the current year.
The commercial connections of pipelines to Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) and other industrial zones in south Chattogram will be done by November.
CWASA managing director AKM Fazlullah said, "Almost 90-per cent work on the project is done. I hope the entire work will be completed within the current year."
"The CWASA supplies 62-per cent water against demand. But the demand is on the rise here keeping pace with the growing number of industries and city-dwellers. The BJWSP will be able to meet the entire demand."
The CWASA now supplies 340-million litres of water daily from Mohora and Rangunia plants through pipelines against the demand for 500-550 million litres.
Mr Fazlullah further said, "BJWSP, which includes a 60-kilometre water transmission line, a water treatment plant and two water reservoirs, will generate some 60-million litres of water daily."
A total of 75-per cent water will be supplied to Chattogram (south) district areas, including Patiya, Anwara, Karnaphuli and Boalkhali upazilas from Bhandal Jhuri Water Treatment Plant.
"Korean Exim Bank is financing the project with a $47 million soft loan from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund. It will be disbursed within June 30," added Mr Fazlullah.
BJWSP project director Mahbubur Rahman said, "The construction work was going great guns even during Covid-19 pandemic. It's continuing in full swing."
Sources said the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the BJWSP on 05 January 2016 with a target for completion by September 2020.
But the ECNEC later extended the date to June 2023.
The ECNEC also approved an additional cost of Tk 9.58 billion for the BJWSP. As a result, the total cost of the project has been increased to Tk 19.95 billion.