Dhaka's crisis of safe water

Safe water is a basic necessity for a large city like Dhaka. However, due to corruption and mismanagement in government and local water supply projects, it often fails to reach the people effectively. Funds allocated for new tubewells or pipelines are frequently misused, and many areas experience irregular water supply because pipelines are only partially installed.
Corruption is especially evident in drainage and water purification projects. The use of substandard materials reduces the effectiveness of infrastructure, while recurring waterlogging and flooding during the monsoon threaten public safety and damage city resources. Water supplied is often inadequately purified due to low-quality materials, leading to outbreaks of diseases such as typhoid, diarrhea, and hepatitis.
With insufficient access to safe water, citizens are forced to rely on alternative sources, including illegal connections, unclean hand pumps, or pond water, which further endangers public health.
To prevent Dhaka's water crisis from becoming lingering and severe, it is imperative to ensure transparency, proper management and active citizen participation in water supply projects. Depending on accountable governance and community involvement can safe water be made accessible to all.

Ashikujaman Syed
syedashikujaman@yahoo.com