Govt plans to launch 'National Water Grid Line': Minister
He was representing Bangladesh at the virtual RCUWM Governing Board Meeting 2021
The government is planning to launch a "National Water Grid Line" to provide safe water across the country including coastal areas, the LGRD minister said.
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operative (LGRD) Minister Tajul Islam on Wednesday also called on member states of the Regional Centre on Urban Water Management (RCUWM) to launch cross-border water grid lines to address regional water crises, said a press release.
The minister was representing Bangladesh at the virtual RCUWM Governing Board Meeting 2021.
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Tajul said that not only in the coastal areas, supply of safe drinking water in some other parts of the country had also become a challenge for the government.
"This challenge would be met if water could be supplied via zones and sub-zones through the creation of 'National Water Grid Line'," he added.
Regarding the launch of cross-border water grid lines, Tajul said many countries in the region have more water than they need.
"And some countries have less water than they need. It would be possible to solve the water problems of all the countries through the coordination of the member states."
The minister said that 98% of the people in Bangladesh have access to safe water. Over 50% of the country's surface water has already been used.
RCUWM was formed in 2002 under UNESCO to enhance the capacity of member countries in developing water sector, research and exchange of strategies.
The 2021 meeting was chaired by the Iranian energy minister and was attended by representatives of 18 countries including Iraq, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Germany and Turkey alongside UNESCO, UNDP, FAO, WMO, IWA, IsDB and other international organisations.
