by Naim-Ul-Karim
DHAKA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Water scarcity is a problem in some parts of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh every year.
With a view to end the water crisis, the Bangladeshi government in recent years launched several mega projects.
One such project started in 2015 with China's assistance under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday inaugurated the "Padma (Jashaldia) Water Treatment Plant (phase-1)," constructed by a Chinese firm.
The plant, located at the Louhajang subdistrict in Mushiganj district near Dhaka, will produce 450 million liters of water per day.
Water from one of the country's mighty Padma River will be treated at the plant for millions of Dhaka dwellers.
"We're working to provide safe drinking water to all Bangladesh people," Hasina said while inaugurating the plant at the ceremony. At the same ceremony, she laid a foundation stone of another mega project "Gandhapur Water Treatment Plant" at Rupganj in Narayanganj near Dhaka.
The "Gandhapur Water Treatment Plant" will treat 500 million liters of water a day once it is completed.
Hasina said her government is currently providing safe drinking water not only in Dhaka but also in other cities and towns.
Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (DWASA) Managing Director Taqsem A Khan earlier said the water need of the vast Dhaka area would be covered by the "Padma (Jashaldia) Water Treatment Plant (phase-1)."
The water treatment plant will provide drinking water for millions of residents, and effectively ease the water supply shortage in Dhaka city and its surrounding areas, relieve the problem of environmental degradation caused by over extraction of groundwater, and play a positive role in environmental protection.
"This plant is a vital livelihood project that benefits the public. It is the crystallization of the long-term friendship between China and Bangladesh, and will play an important part in the Belt and Road Initiative," said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming at the ceremony.
China will continue cooperation with Bangladesh in various fields under the Belt and Road Initiative, and work together with the international community to bring more benefit to the public, and to promote a shared and inclusive development for this region and beyond, the ambassador said.
