The Daily Star, June 26, 2002

5.54 lakh tubewells sealed off due to arsenic: Bhuiyan



BSS, Dhaka


As many as 5,54,081 tubewells representing 53.84 per cent of the total 
10,28,137 surveyed so far in 61 districts have already been sealed off due 
to arsenic contamination.

LGRD and Cooperatives minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan said this while replying to 
a question from Golam M. Siraj of BNP from Bogra in the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday.


"The government has undertaken steps to sink arsenic-free tubewells in those areas 
to supply pure drinking water among the common people," he said.


Replying to a question from M. Habibul Islam Habib of BNP from Satkhira, the LGRD 
Minister said work on the installation of 30 deep tubewells and 18 ring wells as 
part of alternative water supply measures in 30 unions of Kalaroa upazila had 
already been completed.


In reply to another question from M Alamgir Haider Khan of BNP from Chandpur, 
Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan said the Dhaka WASA Engineering especially to stop misuse 
of water through road-side water taps.


"The damaged taps are repaired instantly and the open taps are sealed off to 
stop misuse of water in the city," he said.