The government has undertaken a mega project to develop the sewerage system in Khulna city to end the long-standing sufferings of the city dwellers. City dwellers in different areas of Khulna also known as the industrial city are continuing to experience an unpleasant, or undesirable situation throughout the year as most of its roads and areas remain submerged under sewerage water.
Local people alleged that they have to walk through sewage water bubbling up from the drains and flooding the roads and streets in most time. Residents of most areas are compelled to take the foul smell all the times. In order to make the Khulna a clean, environment friendly and livable city, the government has taken a project titled ‘Khulna Sewerage Development System’ involving taka 2037.64 core, a senior official of the Planning Commission said on anonymity.
Of the total cost of the project, Tk 905 crore will come from the government exchequer and Tk 1,402 crore from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), he mentioned. The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has undertaken a massive plan to bring all the areas of Khulna city under it to ensure proper sanitation for people, he informed.
The project proposal will be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting soon for approval, he added. He said, “This project will be implemented by Khulna WASA from January 2020 to June 2025 in all areas under Khulna City Corporation.”
The Khulna WASA authorities had taken the step to improve the sewerage system of the city in 2015. As part of its move, a final feasibility report titled 'Feasibility Study and Formulation of Waste Water Management Master Plan for Khulna City' conducted by ADB's appointed firm has been submitted to the Khulna WASA on April of 2016.
The study said, the authority concerned has taken a Master Plan for the modern sewerage system in Khulna to ensure proper development of Khulna city. The Khulna WASA is working for implementing the Master Plan considering the population of Khulna city by 2035.
The Khulna WASA has divided the city into 10 sewerage zones. The Master Plan would be implemented in phases in the next 20 years.
Waste water will flow into the treatment plant through pipelines. The water will be supplied to industrial units after treatment to ensure proper growth of the industries. If the project will be implemented, Khulna city will be known as the most modern city, an official source said.
He said, “The project taken by Khulna Wasa is a good initiative. All stakeholders, including Khulna WASA, the city corporation and Khulna Development Authority, should cooperate each other for proper implementation of the project”.