PM Orders Desalination Initiative to Reduce Pressure on Groundwater

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has ordered the government to explore desalination as an alternative water source to reduce pressure on groundwater. He also directed authorities to conduct feasibility studies at the Meghna River estuary in Chandpur and the coastal area of Mongla.

Local Government Adviser Mir Shahe Alam shared the information on Tuesday (August 25) after a meeting between the Danish ambassador and the local government minister and adviser at the Secretariat.

He said around 74 percent of Dhaka’s water supply currently comes from groundwater, putting increasing pressure on underground reserves. The government plans to treat saline water and distribute it nationwide through pipelines, similar to the gas supply system.

The adviser said a Tk 16,000 crore project is underway to bring water from the Meghna River to Dhaka. Once completed, the project is expected to supply around 950 million liters of water daily.

Denmark is expected to provide around Tk 4,500 crore in support of the project. The country is also providing Tk 100 crore for water treatment facilities in Rohingya camps.