WASA chief for water price-hike

DHAKA: The price of water has to be increased logically to maintain financial solvency of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA).

WASA Managing Director Engineer Taksin A Khan Saturday came up with the observation while addressing a seminar titled ‘Dhaka WASA: Activities, Challenges and Public Expectation’ at CIRDAP auditorium in the city Saturday.

The price of water supplied by Dhaka WASA is lower than many other foreign cities, he claimed.

He suggested that WASA would be run through corporate culture.  

Admitting corruption in WASA, he said, “We have already introduced online system to prevent corruption here.”  

Regarding water supply, Taksin said water supply in Dhaka and Narayanganj cities would be ensured in current dry season.  

The WASA authority has taken preparation following previous year’s experience, he added.

Regarding Deep Tube-well, he informed that a total of 572 deep tube-wells were in the city in last year while it increased to 602 later.

The tube-well would be able to produce 210 to 215 litres daily through the deep tube-wells and four refinery plants. Sayedabad Water Refinery Plant Face-2 is on test run and 22.30 litres water would be supplied after full run of the plant.

Some 11 vigilance teams are active in the city in dry season like previous years and 15 complaint centres have been opened, the officials also said.

The process of procuring 5 tractors is underway to supply waters in narrow lanes.

A total of 36 vehicles are ready to supply water, if emergency.   
 
Former adviser of caretaker government also BAPA president ASM Shahjahan chaired the seminar.

Among others, Dhaka-11 constituency MP Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Biswa Sahittaya Kendra President Professor Abdullah Abu Syed, WASA commercial Manager Uttam Kumar Roy and Additional Chief Engineer Siraj Uddin also attended the seminar.

BDST: 1555 HRS, MAY 26, 2012
Edited by:
Rubaiat Saky, Newsroom Editor
Mohammed Humayun Kabir, Sr Newsroom Editor
M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor