Benjamin Franklin says "When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." This seems very true for many urban areas and cities in the world. The mega city Dhaka is experiencing a severe water crisis in recent years. Water shortage becomes worse during the summer months. The groundwater table is diminishing at an alarming rate. Is it too late to achieve water sustainability in Dhaka? Groundwater Depletion Scenario in Dhaka At present, Dhaka has around 21 million people, which is projected to cross 32 million by 2035. Uncontrolled migration and rapid urbanisation are generating diverse problems, including the water crisis. Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) is failing to supply water to fulfil the demand of residents in half of the areas of the capital city of Bangladesh. Dhaka WASA's 2018-19 year's annual report shows that the daily water demand of Dhaka city is about 2.45 billion litres and 78% of this demand is met by groundwater extraction. Besides these, thousands of private deep tube wells are used in the city to extract water from the underground aquifers. Then surface water sources like rivers and lakes are used to fulfil the remaining 22% demand of water. Read more: Top Strategies to Enhance Fire Resilience in Dhaka City Most of The rivers and water bodies in and around the capital city including Turag, Dhaleswari, Buriganga, Tongi Khal, Balu, Shitalakshya, Bangshi River, etc are highly polluted by waste materials disposed of industrial as well as municipal sources. This situation aggravates during the dry seasons. At present, Dhaka WASA has four plants for treating water. But the amount of treated water is quite insufficient compared with the total demand of water. The long-term dependency on the underground aquifers has taken a toll on the city's groundwater table. According to 2030 Water Resources Group, Dhaka's groundwater table is declining at a rate of 3 metres every year. If the demand for water increases at the present rate, which is likely, then the projected yearly depletion rate of groundwater reserves can reach up to 5.1 metres by 2030. Currently, the average depth of Dhaka's groundwater table is about 78 metres, which may sink down to 132 metres in the next 10 to 12 years. Without appropriate preventive measures, the groundwater table may plunge to 100 to 150 metres by the year of 2050. Read more: What Can Dhaka Learn from the Smart City Singapore Multifarious Effects of Water Crisis The depletion of underground water levels can affect the residential, commercial and industrial zones of Dhaka city. The unregulated use of groundwater, may lead to severe shortfall in the supply of drinking water from underground aquifers.

World Town Planning Day, also known as "World Urbanism Day," aims to encourage community planning to address diverse environmental and socio-economic factors involved in the development of a town. The 74th World Town Planning Day 2023 is being celebrated worldwide on November 08 with the theme 'Learn Globally, Apply Locally.' According to the 2023 IMD Smart City Index, Singapore is ranked as the 7th smartest in the world, and topped among the smart cities in the Asian subcontinent. Singapore has overcome diverse urban challenges through the utilization of the latest ICT technologies. The city is able to provide necessary urban amenities including water treatment, public housing, transportation, energy management, etc. Singapore's pathway of being a smart city offers great lessons for Dhaka. Scenario of Dhaka and the Vow of Smart City Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is a mega city inhabited by 10.2 million people as of 2022. According to World Bank data approximately three to four lakhs people migrate to Dhaka from different regions of Bangladesh each year. A lion's share of these migrants are climate refugees. With above three percent population growth rate Dhaka has gained the title of fourth most populous city in the world. The uncontrolled migration and unplanned urbanization are posing a threat to the existence of Dhaka city. As a result Dhaka is facing multifarious challenges such as air pollution, traffic jams, insufficient public amenities and services, inadequate public transport facilities, inadequate infrastructure, etc. Read more: Bangabandhu Tunnel: Tk 25 lakh toll collected on first weekly holiday since opening The government of Bangladesh have taken the initiative to build Dhaka as a Smart City. The term smart city refers to a technologically advanced urban area that promises quality of life for residents by optimizing city functions, promoting economic growth, and utilizing various technologies. Now, it is a burning question that how can Dhaka city assure quality life to its inhabitants by improving healthcare, public transportation, housing, urban amenities, and advanced payment systems which are the key components of a smart city? Read more: Focus on digital education for Smart Bangladesh: Speakers

The 20-year-long master plan to transform the tourism city Cox’s Bazar into a modern and smart city is likely to be initiated next month. The Cox's Bazar Development Authority (CoxDA) is ready to prepare a masterplan for the tourism city. "We're working to formulate a masterplan for 20 years — from 2023 to 2043 — to transform Cox's Bazar into a smart city. The formal work to this end will start next month," Chairman of the CoxDA, Commodore (retd) Muhammed Nurul Absar, told reporters in a views-exchange meeting held at his office on Saturday. Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher also spoke at the programme. Read: Bangladesh’s first tourism master plan yet to be formulated, was supposed to be completed last Dec A detailed area plan is also being formulated to ensure a planned development for an attractive and environment-friendly Cox’s Bazar. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier asked the authorities concerned to prepare a masterplan for Cox's Bazar, to develop it as a smart city with all the modern facilities. She also asked the authorities concerned to keep the beauty of the “longest natural unbroken sea beach” in the world unharmed. Sheikh Hasina wants to transform Cox's Bazar into a global hub of tourism and aviation by developing a dedicated tourist attraction for foreigners, and a state of the art international airport with the longest and only marine runway in the country, the CoxDA chairman said. Read: Agreement signed with Seoul for transport master plan for Chattogram city The CoxDA chairman also said they are formulating the masterplan following the directive of the prime minister. It includes formulating strategic policy plan, detailed area plan of all the upazilas and beach areas of Cox's Bazar (690.67 sqkm), and tourism and regional development plans. Disaster management, preparing a Smart City Model for Cox's Bazar, transport management, environment management, drainage and sanitation management, utilities and socio-economic development and sectoral plans are also the key features of the masterplan. To support the Vision 2041 announced by the Awami League government to turn Bangladesh into a developed country with high income, the CoxDA is undertaking several development projects. Read more: Second stakeholder meeting on energy master plan Sunday, 'final report by Dec' The projects include cable car installation from Cox's Bazar to Sabrong and Cox's Bazar to Moheshkhali, introducing watersports and other amusement facilities on the sea beach, indoor amusement park, CoxDA Marina Bay Resort, CoxDA Condominium Project, Eco-resort in Moheshkhali, protecting lives and boosting marine tourism, preparing a roadmap to tap potential of the blue economy, renewable energy project, installation of central sewerage treatment plant (STP), water treatment plan and introducing sea-plane, cruise ship and helicopter service and preparing integrated costal zone management plan. CoxDA chairman Commodore (retd) Muhammed Nurul Absar said they are working to set up the central STP in Cox's Bazar, otherwise the Bay of Bengal will be a dead zone with huge amounts of sewerage going into the sea. "Once the projects are completed, they can immensely contribute to achieve the targets of sustainable development goals," he said. He added that they have already completed several projects that include reforming and rehabilitating Cox's Bazar's traditional Laldighi, Goldighi, markets and ponds, and building a multi-storey building for CoxDA. Read more: Master plan for tourism in Bangladesh to be formulated in Dec: State Minister The ongoing development schemes of the CoxDA are: building residential flats for CoxDA, sculpture and modern passenger shed at Moheshkhali, reforming and expanding the main road of Cox's Bazar (Holiday Crossing-Bazatghata-Larpara Bus Stand).