Fund crisis, snags halt C'WASA projects
Monday, 5 November 2007
Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Nov 4: Despite the undertaking of three large projects by Chittagong Water and Sewerage Authority (C'WASA) for meeting the water needs of city residents, the projects in question have not yet seen the light of the day even after a decade due to shortage of funds and other complications, sources said.
Moreover, uncertainty still looms large as to whether these projects would be implemented at all in the near future.
The relevant files are moving from table to table at WASA and to the concerned ministry. It would seem that the existing water crisis of 65 percent of the city dwellers is unlikely to be solved soon, concerned sources said.
According to C'WASA sources, with a view to resolving the acute water crisis of the city, CWASA undertook three projects in 1997.
The projects included Mohora Water Treatment Expansion Project (MWTEP), Modunaghat Water Supply Project (MWSP), and Karnaphuli Water Supply Project (KWSP).
But a huge chunk of the foreign financial assistance was withdrawn due to different complications and bureaucratic tangles.
The sources further said, the daily requirement of water in the city is around 115 million gallons, while C'WASA is capable of drilling only 36 to 37 million gallons of water at this stage which is only 34-35 per cent of total water requirement in the port city.
If the three giant projects were implemented, water generation by C'WASA would increase by 60-65 million gallons.
CHITTAGONG, Nov 4: Despite the undertaking of three large projects by Chittagong Water and Sewerage Authority (C'WASA) for meeting the water needs of city residents, the projects in question have not yet seen the light of the day even after a decade due to shortage of funds and other complications, sources said.
Moreover, uncertainty still looms large as to whether these projects would be implemented at all in the near future.
The relevant files are moving from table to table at WASA and to the concerned ministry. It would seem that the existing water crisis of 65 percent of the city dwellers is unlikely to be solved soon, concerned sources said.
According to C'WASA sources, with a view to resolving the acute water crisis of the city, CWASA undertook three projects in 1997.
The projects included Mohora Water Treatment Expansion Project (MWTEP), Modunaghat Water Supply Project (MWSP), and Karnaphuli Water Supply Project (KWSP).
But a huge chunk of the foreign financial assistance was withdrawn due to different complications and bureaucratic tangles.
The sources further said, the daily requirement of water in the city is around 115 million gallons, while C'WASA is capable of drilling only 36 to 37 million gallons of water at this stage which is only 34-35 per cent of total water requirement in the port city.
If the three giant projects were implemented, water generation by C'WASA would increase by 60-65 million gallons.