Pointing out the environmental importance of rivers, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked to protect the lifeline of Chattogram, Karnaphuli river, from all kinds of pollution.
She came up with the suggestion while inaugurating the newly constructed "Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plant-2" (SHWTP-2) by Chattogram WASA (CWASA) through a video conference from Gono Bhaban this afternoon.
SHWTP-2, under the Karnaphuli Water Supply Project Phase-2, has the capacity to supply 140 million litres of water every day. CWASA currently supplies 391 million litres of water a day against the demand for 500 million litres, our staff correspondent quoted officials as saying.
"The rivers in Chattogram including Karnaphuli, Halda and Sangu should be saved from industrial pollution. We have taken actions to stop pollution in Karnaphuli. Along with Karnaphuli, everyone should step forward to protect other rivers from pollution," said the PM.
She said Chattogram is Bangladesh's "trade hub".
"It is our responsibility to develop the city (Chattogram). Development of Chattogram means development of the whole country. Chattogram has contributed in all fields including trade and commerce, import and export to develop Bangladesh," she added.
"Once there were many head offices of different national businesses in Chattogram, but after 1975, the offices were moved to Dhaka -- leaving the port city neglected. When the Awami League (AL) led government took over again, economic growth of the port city resumed," she said.
Emphasizing the need to save rain water, the PM said, "Every institution has to make arrangements for preserving rainwater. It is impossible to meet the demand of purifying water everywhere."
"We are working to reduce the dependency of ground water and we are constructing surface water treatment plants across the country, including in Chattogram and Dhaka," the PM added.
Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, Local Government Minister Md. Tajul Islam, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Local Government Senior Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed, Chattogram WASA Managing Director (MD) AKM Fazlullah spoke at the inauguration ceremony.
SK
