Army to be deployed at Wasa pumps to ensure smooth supply

The government will deploy army at pumps of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) in a day or two to help ensure uninterrupted supply of water during the summer.
"Like previous years, they will help us operate the pumps as well as distribute water throughout the dry season smoothly," Raihanul Abedin, managing director of Dhaka Wasa, told The Daily Star yesterday.
"We have already talked with high officials of the army," he said, adding that they want army deployment to avert chaos or untoward incidents centring inadequate supply in April-June.
Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) will send a letter to the army headquarters today, asking for the assistance.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official of the water supply authority said troops will patrol Wasa zones to resist sabotage of supply lines and prevent illegal sale of water by a section of Wasa staff.
"They will guard deep tube-wells, pump houses and important Wasa establishments, and will also supply water by tankers to places whenever necessary," he added.
Locals of Mirpur and Badda are already experiencing an acute shortage of water while residents of many areas in the city complain of stink in water.
On Friday, people in Badda brought out a procession protesting worsening crisis of water.
At present, Wasa has 479 pump stations with a combined capacity of supplying 172 crore litres a day while the demand for water in the city stands at 210 crore litres.
Frequent power cuts in the dry season disrupt operation of water pumps and add to the crisis, said the managing director of Wasa.
Army deployment at Wasa pumps during the summer and in the month of Ramadan has become commonplace in the recent years.