Staff Reporter:
The government has decided to undertake a new project to supply an additional 1 billion litres of water daily to Dhaka from the Padma River.
“The project will be undertaken within the next six months to supply an additional 1 billion litres of water daily to meet the growing demand,” State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said.
The state minister said Dhaka WASA currently supplies around 3.14 billion liters of water daily, of which 74 percent comes from groundwater sources and 26 percent from rivers.
Addressing an event marking World Handwashing Day 2026 at Banani Bidyaniketan School and College in the city, he said the proposed project aims to reduce dependence on groundwater and minimise the risk of earthquakes associated with excessive groundwater extraction.
The Department of Public Health Engineering, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) jointly organised the event.
Alam urged students to raise awareness about water wastage and use water responsibly. He stressed the importance of washing hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet to prevent diarrhoea and foodborne diseases.
He also advised students to use hand sanitiser when soap and water were not readily available, including while eating fast food or other food items.
He further advised students to pay attention to nutrition and take vitamin D supplements as recommended by a doctor. He also encouraged them to participate in sports and other physical activities to stay healthy.
UNICEF Deputy Representative Dr Malalay Ahmadzai, WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr Rajesh Narwal and UNICEF Chief of WASH Peter Maes attended the programme as special guests.
Senior Secretary of the Local Government Division Md Shahidul Hasan chaired the programme.
