According to the officials concerned, BMDA took a five-year project titled 'Drinking Water Supply From Irrigation Deep Tube Well' in the region aimed at reducing the crisis of safe drinking water during the drought season in 2002.

The main objective of the project was to supply round-the-year potable water to every rural house in addition to maintaining the agro-irrigation system.

The Tk 41.25 crore project is scheduled to be completed by June next.

Under the programme, 35-feet high 282 water supply installations (overhead tanks) adjacent to deep tubewells, which were installed earlier by the authority, were constructed in 35 upazilas in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore, Chapainawabganj, Bogra and Joypurhat districts.

Apart from extension of 26 water supply installations and a water-testing laboratory, necessary pipelines were also installed.

Around three lakh remote people have been getting arsenic-free water supply facilities through the pipelines from these installations.

Project Director Engineer Aminul Islam told BSS here yesterday that the supply system is quite dependable and helping eradicate the diseases caused by shortage of potable water especially in the drought season in the vast tract of dried areas.

In fact, the general health of the village people is gradually improving in the commanding areas.

As a result of irrigation through the deep tubewells, 223 percent crop intensity has also been achieved in 13,254 hectares of surrounding lands benefiting over 20,000 farmers.

As a whole, the project would contribute enormously towards raising standard of living in the remote villages, Aminul added.

On successful implementation of the first phase, BMDA is to undertake another five-year follow-up project at an estimated cost of around Tk 100 crore, which is on the pipeline.

Under the second-phase, around 15 lakh remote people in 16 districts under Rajshahi division would be brought under safe drinking water supply facilities through commissioning another 750 installations side by side with the irrigation.