Ctg Correspondent
Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) is set to overcome its nearly three-decade-long water crisis as Chattogram WASA has undertaken a project to supply treated water to the university from the Karnaphuli Water Treatment Plants-1 and 2.
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, MP, laid the foundation stone for the pipeline installation project at the CUET campus on Tuesday. Chattogram WASA Managing Director Engineer Selim Md. Jane Alam attended the programme as a special guest.
Established in Raozan in 1968, CUET currently has five faculties and 18 departments, with around 6,367 students and 361 teachers. Its total workforce stands at approximately 1,053, while around 6,500 people live on the campus.
For decades, CUET has primarily depended on groundwater to meet its water demand. However, declining groundwater levels have caused severe shortages, particularly during the dry season, causing considerable hardship for students, teachers, officials, employees and other campus residents.
Seeking a permanent solution, CUET authorities submitted an application to the Managing Director of Chattogram WASA on June 15, requesting a piped water supply. Following the application, WASA sent a letter to BRTC, CUET, on July 6, requesting a comprehensive design and feasibility estimate based on the university’s existing water consumption, including pipeline design and pump capacity.
Following the assessment, Chattogram WASA undertook the installation of an 8-inch distribution pipeline from the Karnaphuli Water Treatment Plants to CUET.
The Karnaphuli Water Treatment Plants-1 and 2 currently supply around 290 million litres of water per day to the city. Once the new pipeline and associated infrastructure are completed, the project is expected to significantly reduce CUET’s longstanding water crisis and dependence on groundwater.
Speaking at the ceremony, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury welcomed the WASA initiative, saying the government had undertaken measures to ensure access to safe and potable water for all.
He expressed hope that the project would be completed quickly, reducing the longstanding suffering of students, teachers and campus residents. He also said successful implementation of the project would enhance the government’s image.
Chattogram WASA Managing Director Engineer Selim Md. Jane Alam said CUET is one of the important engineering institutions not only in Chattogram but also in Bangladesh.
“CUET has been suffering from a water crisis for nearly 30 years. After taking responsibility, we have taken the initiative to supply treated water from Chattogram WASA to the university,” he said.
“We hope to complete the water supply project at CUET as soon as possible.” #EK
