Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said treated water from the Meghna River will be supplied to the two Dhaka city corporations to meet the capital's growing demand for water and reduce dependence on groundwater.

He made the remarks during a visit to the Gandharbapur Water Treatment Plant in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj district.

Mirza Fakhrul urges urgent action to restore rivers, civic services to make Dhaka livable

The water treatment plant, having a daily treatment capacity of 50 crore litres, is nearing completion, Mirza Fakhrul said.

“For years, Dhaka has relied mainly on groundwater to meet its water demand. Excessive extraction has raised concerns that the groundwater level could fall to nearly 1,000 metres, creating a serious environmental challenge,” he said.

To address this situation, water from the Meghna River is being treated and will be supplied to residents of the two city corporations in Dhaka, the minister added.

He said the project, being implemented at a cost of around Tk 10,000 crore, has reached its final stage and is expected to be completed within the next year.

Once operational, the facility will be capable of supplying around 50 crore litres of safe drinking water every day, Mirza Fakhrul, also BNP secretary general, said.

He also revealed plans for another similar project that will add an additional 50 crore litres of treated water daily.

“With the implementation of both projects, a total of 100 crore litres of purified water can be supplied every day to the residents of the two Dhaka city corporations,” the minister said.

Earlier in the day, he attended a meeting on the project and later inspected the ongoing construction work along with officials concerned.