The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Chittagong Water and Sewerage Authority (CWASA) under its existing strength will not be able to address the water demand of the city.

The CWASA in the face of its repeated failure in supplying sufficient water is apparently encouraging installation of deep tube wells in the private arrangement and so far eased licensing for the domestic deep tube well users.

Finding no alternative the government is going to adopt open underground water policy to cope with the growing demand of water for nearly six million citizens.

The government has cut the license fee since May 15, 2007 and might consider further reduction of fee in the view of dry-season water scarcity.

The CWASA became absolutely unfit of addressing the city's water demand when two gigantic projects - Madhunaghat Water Supply project and Mohara Water Treatment Plant - were stalled on various reasons.

Modhunaghat Water Supply project with 450 million liters of water treatment capacity a day was approved on August 26, 1999 and tender was approved by the committee on September 7, 2003.

The proposed Mohara Water Treatment Plant with 90 million liters of treatment capacity a day was approved on September 6, 2003.

The project which was scheduled to begin 2006 and was targeted to complete by 2009, is now reeling under the legal battle.

The high court issued a stay order on November 6, 2006 when second lowest bidder submitted writ petition against the purchase committee claiming that they deserved the work order.

The lowest bidder at a meeting with the CWASA in February this year agreed to withdraw the writ in the greater interest of the public.

It is learnt that CWASA is likely to go for re-tendering after writ is officially withdrawn.

However completion of the two projects will not be possible before next three days even though those commence this year, Engineers attached to the projects asserted.

A top CWASA official claimed that they were working hard to install six more deep tube wells by the next financial year. Construction of a deep tube well has already been completed and three others are expected to be finished by June next.