CHATTOGRAM, Aug 17: Work on the ongoing water treatment project of the Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA) is likely to be completed in the current year.
As work is coming on fine, production at the 60-million-litre capacity Bhandal Jhuri Water Supply Project (BJWSP) is programmed for December 2024.
According to sources, more than 95 per cent work has been done. It was due for completion in June 2023. The rest is likely to be done within this December.
The CWASA will connect pipelines to the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) and other industrial zones in south Chattogram within November for water supplies.
CWASA managing director AKM Fazlullah said, "Project work is almost 95 per cent done. I hope the total construction job will be finished by this year."
"CWASA now meets only 62 per cent water demand of city-dwellers. But the demand is on the rise with the growing number of industries as well as residents."
Mr Fazlullah said, "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."
The BJWSP, which includes a 60-kilometre transmission line, a water treatment plant and two reservoirs, will meet the rest of the demand by generating 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 the Bhandal plant.
"The Korean Exim Bank is financing the project with a soft loan of $47 million from the resources of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF)…," added Mr Fazlullah.
BJWSP project director Mahbubur Rahman said, "More than 95-per cent work on the construction of the project has been completed so far. The rest is going well."
Sources said the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the BJWSP on 05 January 2016 for completion by September 2020.
But the ECNEC later extended the date up until June 2023. It also approved an additional cost of Tk 9.58 billion (958.85 crore) for the BJWSP.
As a result, the total cost of the project increased to Tk 19.95 billion.
However, the CWASA appointed South Korean firms - Dong Myeong Engineering Consultants, Architecture Company Ltd and Korea and Consortium - for submitting reports in this regard.
The CWASA is continuing the work as per their reports.
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