Gandharbpur Water Works to Boost Dhaka’s Sustainable Supply

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has directed that the construction of the Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant in Rupganj, Narayanganj, be completed within the next year to help meet the capital’s growing water demand and reduce dependence on groundwater, thereby ensuring sustainable water management.

The minister issued the directive on Monday while inspecting the under-construction Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant, being implemented under the “Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply Project” of Dhaka WASA. During the visit, he reviewed the overall progress of the project and exchanged views with the officials and staff involved.

Speaking during the inspection, the minister said that the demand for safe water in the capital continues to rise due to rapid urbanization. In this context, he emphasized the importance of developing a modern and environmentally friendly water supply system. He called on the concerned authorities to perform their responsibilities with professionalism, efficiency, and accountability to ensure the highest standard of service for urban residents, while safeguarding public health, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

Against the backdrop of the continuous decline in groundwater levels, the minister placed special emphasis on increasing the use of surface water in Dhaka’s water supply system. He said that reducing dependence on groundwater and increasing the use of surface water collected from rivers and other sources is essential to ensure the long-term protection of the country’s water resources. Such measures, he added, would help maintain environmental balance and preserve water resources for future generations.

The discussion meeting was attended by Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hasan, Dhaka WASA Managing Director Md. Aminul Islam, and senior officials of the Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant project. They briefed the minister on the project’s current progress, implementation challenges, and future action plans.

According to project officials, the first phase of the Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant will supply 500 million liters of water daily to the capital, while the second phase will add another 500 million liters per day. Upon completion of both phases, the project will be capable of supplying a total of 1 billion liters of purified water daily to different areas of Dhaka.

Experts believe that once operational, the Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant will bring a significant positive transformation to the capital’s water supply system. They also noted that the project will play a crucial role in reducing Dhaka WASA’s dependence on groundwater and in establishing an environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient urban water management system over the long term.

//DBTech/RMC/EK/OR//