Tk10 Crore Water Project Shut Down Within a Month of Inauguration

A water treatment project built at a cost of Tk 105.3 million to address the safe drinking water crisis among residents of Shayestaganj Municipality in Habiganj has remained locked for 14 months. Water supply stopped just a month after its inauguration, leaving the project virtually inactive. As it has remained unused for a long time, valuable equipment has accumulated dust and dirt, while some parts have begun to rust. Although the water crisis worsens in the dry season, no effective initiative is yet visible to restart the public service project. This has raised questions among residents about the proper use of public funds and the operation and maintenance of the project.

A visit to the site found locks hanging at the main gate and several other parts of the water treatment plant, located beside the old cattle market in Sudiakhla area of Shayestaganj town. Grass and weeds have grown around the project. Various water treatment and supply equipment inside the facility have remained unused for a long time.

The project’s inauguration plaque states that safe water has been arranged through a groundwater treatment plant with a capacity of 200 cubic metres per hour under the “Water Supply and Sanitation (GDB-IRV) Project in 23 Municipalities of Bangladesh.” The Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Habiganj, implemented the project, while Shayestaganj Municipality supervised it.

According to the plaque, the project was inaugurated on April 28, 2025, by then-Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi.

According to DPHE sources, the water treatment plant and related infrastructure were constructed at a cost of Tk 105.3 million. After completion, the project was handed over to the Shayestaganj municipal authorities on March 3, 2025, as per regulations. It was formally inaugurated on April 28. However, the water supply operation stopped just a month after the inauguration and has not resumed regularly since then. As a result, the important public service facility built at a huge cost has remained virtually inactive for a long time.

Water crisis, but water project remains locked

Local residents said the water crisis becomes severe in different parts of Shayestaganj Municipality during the dry season. As groundwater levels fall in many areas, tube wells also fail to provide sufficient water. In such a situation, frustration is growing among residents as the multimillion-taka project built to ensure safe water supply has remained closed for months.

They questioned whether a proper plan for operating and maintaining the project had been prepared before it was undertaken, if it was not possible to operate the facility regularly after spending such a large amount of public money.

Paid for connections but no water supply

A local resident complained that residents had deposited Tk 500 each with the municipality to obtain water connections. They were even given receipts for the payments. However, water connections have yet to be provided to their homes.

Different explanations for shutdown

There are also differing statements from the authorities regarding why the project has remained closed.

The municipal authorities said the project could not be operated regularly due to a lack of necessary chemicals for water treatment, adequate manpower and a specific arrangement for regular maintenance.

The prolonged closure has raised several questions among locals. Why did the water supply stop just a month after the inauguration? Was a realistic plan for operating and maintaining the project prepared before its construction? Who will be held responsible if valuable equipment is damaged due to the prolonged shutdown? Residents want answers to these questions.

Shayestaganj Municipal Administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Asaduzzaman said, “I have recently taken charge. We are looking into the matter of the project that has remained closed for a long time. InshaAllah, necessary steps will be taken to restart it as soon as possible.”

Residents have demanded that the water treatment plant, which has remained locked for a long time, be reopened quickly to ensure safe water supply. At the same time, they called for an investigation into why the project was shut down so soon after its inauguration and urged authorities to identify its current condition, operational shortcomings and possible causes of mismanagement.