Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate the South Asia's largest single sewage treatment plant (STP), having a capacity of treating 5 million sewage per day, in the city's Khilgaon area tomorrow (July 13), which will save the rivers surrounding the capital from pollution.
 
According to Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) Managing Director Taqsem A Khan, the PM will formally commission operation of the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant in Dhaka, first of its kind in the country on Thursday.

Briefing newsmen about the plant at its office site in Dhaka's Aftabnagar on Tuesday, he said the plant has the capacity of treating 5 million metric tons of sewage everyday which is 20 to 25 percent of the total sewage, weighing 2000 million metric tons, in the capital city.

The Dhaka WASA chief said they will build four more sewage treatment plants, one each in Pagla, Uttara, Rayerbazar and Mirpur areas in accordance with a master plan to treat 100 percent sewage of Dhaka by 2030, 90 percent of which through pipeline coverage and remaining 10 percent collecting from houses.

The plant helps implementing SDG Goal-6 by ensuring better waste management system across the country by 2030, he said, adding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the pioneer of bringing the country under a proper waste management system.

"Such kind of single sewage treatment plant is nowhere in the South Asia and it is the largest one in the region. This is the best one," he said.

Taqsem said the plant is environment friendly, sustainable and people friendly.

"Treated water from sewage is falling into the water of Balu river which increase the quality of the river water and the water is as good as drinkable. It is possible to drink the water by treating that further," he said.

The land acquisition for the Pagla Sewage Treatment Plant has already been completed while the process to acquire land for Rayerbazar is almost complete.

BDST: 1445 HRS, JULY 12, 2023
MN/SMS