Surface Water Shift & Smart Solutions: Minister Urges Tech-Driven Water Management
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized increasing the use of surface water, conserving rivers and reservoirs, and adopting modern water purification technologies.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar held on 28 April, Tuesday, at the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) auditorium in Kakrail in the capital, marking World Water Day-2026, he said, “Instead of relying on groundwater, we must now shift to surface water.”
The seminar, chaired by Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hasan, was also attended by Chief Engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering Md. Abdul Awal, UNICEF representative Stanley Gwavuya, and World Health Organization representative Dr. Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed.
In his address, the minister said that access to safe water has become a major challenge in Bangladesh, further complicated by climate change, population growth, and unplanned urbanization. He particularly noted that excessive dependence on groundwater in the capital Dhaka has put the city’s water management system at risk. To overcome this situation, he stressed increasing surface water use, conserving rivers and reservoirs, and utilizing advanced water treatment technologies.
He added that social and economic disparities persist in access to safe water, with low-income urban residents and slum dwellers facing comparatively greater difficulties, posing both humanitarian and developmental challenges. He highlighted the need for coordinated efforts between government and non-government organizations to address this disparity.
In his presidential remarks, the secretary said that efforts are underway through various government development projects to ensure safe water supply across different regions of the country. He emphasized enhancing the capacity of local government institutions and called for long-term planning to ensure sustainable water management.
Speakers at the event also stressed preventing water pollution, raising public awareness on safe water management, and adopting technology-driven solutions. They noted that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would not be possible without proper planning and effective implementation in water management.
Later the same day, at the Secretariat, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Dhaka Michael Miller paid a courtesy call on Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The meeting, held at the minister’s office, discussed various aspects of strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Both sides emphasized expanding and reinforcing Bangladesh-EU partnership. The minister expressed interest in leveraging EU experience in the country’s water management sector, stating that joint experience-sharing programs would be highly beneficial for Bangladesh.
Ambassador Michael Miller described Bangladesh as a reliable and trusted development partner of the EU and said the bloc is keen to further deepen and expand existing cooperation.
The meeting also discussed decentralization of governance, development of e-governance, progress in the infrastructure sector, and sustainable development. Both sides expressed optimism that joint initiatives and partnerships would further accelerate Bangladesh-EU development cooperation in the future.
Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hasan and Rural Development and Co-operatives Division Secretary Mohang Shawkat Rashid, along with senior officials of the ministry and its affiliated departments, were present at the meeting.
DBTech/HMC/EK/OR
