Modern water management key to urban health, environment: Fakhrul

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said effective and modern water management is essential for ensuring public health and protecting the environment in urban areas, reports BSS.
To this end, he called on the concerned authorities to discharge their duties with professionalism, accountability and efficiency to ensure the highest standard of service delivery.
Mirza Fakhrul, also BNP secretary general, made the remarks while talking to reporters during his visit to the under-construction Gandharbapur Water Treatment Plant at Rupganj in Narayanganj to ensure safe and sustainable water supply for the capital.
Emphasising increased use of surface water as a sustainable solution to the long-standing water crisis in the capital, he said reliance on groundwater must be reduced while the use of surface water should be expanded to ensure optimal utilisation of the country's water resources.
"This will help maintain environmental balance and make it easier to conserve water resources for future generations," he said.
During the visit to the plant being constructed under the Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply Project implemented by Dhaka WASA, the minister reviewed the overall progress of the project and exchanged views with the officials and employees concerned.
He directed the authorities to complete the remaining works of the project within the next one year.
An exchange of views meeting held after the visit, where the minister was informed about the current progress of the project, future work plans and various initiatives taken to improve service quality.