For over a decade, the completion of the Alikadam water treatment plant has remained elusive, exacerbating the water crisis in Alikadam Upazila, Bandarban. Despite its inauguration last year, the plant’s functionality remains limited, leaving locals in a perpetual struggle for access to clean water.
Constructed at a cost of Tk11 crore by the Directorate of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), the project aimed to address the pressing water needs of communities in Mia Para, near Alikadam Upazila Parishad. However, even after an expenditure of around Tk11.5 crore over two phases, the project’s completion remains uncertain.
Initiated in June 2011, the project faced setbacks, with construction halting after the completion of two reservoirs in its initial phase. Despite a renewed allocation of Tk9.46 crore by the Planning Commission in September 2020, the project’s timeline remained elusive.
The plant, slated for completion in June 2022, was inaugurated amidst hope last year. However, operational challenges surfaced shortly after, with water supply to the local health complex ceasing abruptly after a brief stint on the inauguration day.
Efforts to engage the local community by offering water connections at a fixed fee saw lukewarm responses, with doubts lingering over the plant’s reliability. Despite fee reductions, only a handful applied for connections, further delaying the plant’s operationalization.
Residents like Nurul Haque and Manghla Pru Tanchangya continue to grapple with acute water shortages, expressing skepticism over the plant’s ability to provide consistent water access.
While DPHE Engineer Mohammad Halim claims the project’s completion, challenges persist in garnering community participation.
Alikadam Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ataul Gani Osmani remains optimistic, citing progress in project completion and forthcoming efforts to reduce connection charges to encourage community involvement.
The prolonged delay in the Alikadam water treatment plant underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to alleviate the persistent water crisis plaguing the region.
