The government has initiated a big move to expand safe water supply and sanitation facilities in 123 upazilas across 16 districts of the Barind region under the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions under a project with an estimated cost of Tk1,203.73 crore.
The Local Government Division has proposed the project, titled "Safe Water Supply and Sanitation Project in the Barind Region", for implementation by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) from October 2026 to March 2030, with full government funding.
"The project will improve public health and living standards in the greater Barind region through the expansion and development of safe water supply and sanitation facilities," the Planning Commission said in its project summary prepared for consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
The project will be placed before the next meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), scheduled to be held tomorrow (25 October) at the Bangladesh Secretariat, with ECNEC Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair.
Talking to BSS, a senior Planning Commission official said the project proposes 59,778 improved twin-pit latrines for low-income households, 4,394 community-based water supply units, 22,176 shallow tubewells and 4,829 deep tubewells.
It also includes 5,399 shallow tubewells with submersible pumps and reservoirs, 1,113 deep tubewells with submersible pumps and reservoirs, 125 public toilets, 1,068 ring wells and 1,797 rainwater harvesting systems.
The plan also provides for the re-excavation of ponds and construction of 16 pond sand filters.
According to the project document, the Barind region ranks second among six water-availability hotspots identified in the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.
"Climate change, excessive groundwater extraction and inadequate groundwater recharge are making the shortage of safe water in the Barind region increasingly acute," the official said.
Groundwater levels decline during the dry season, creating shortages of drinking water and irrigation water across large parts of northern Bangladesh. The situation improves to some extent during the monsoon, it added.
The document also reported that only 63.6% of the population in the region has access to basic sanitation facilities. Inadequate sanitation increases the risk of waterborne diseases and environmental pollution, threatens public health and reduces productivity, thereby hindering socioeconomic development.
The commission selected all upazilas in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions for the project because of recurring drought, irregular rainfall, declining groundwater levels and limited access to safe water sources. Climate change and population growth have further intensified these challenges.
The project proposes annual allocations of Tk292.93 crore for fiscal year 2026-27, Tk350.37 crore for 2027-28, Tk367.58 crore for 2028-29 and Tk192.85 crore for 2029-30.
The project evaluation committee recommended approval at a meeting on 26 January 2026, subject to compliance with its decisions.
The Planning Commission said the project also aligns with the election manifesto commitment to develop modern and safe communities through safe water supply and waste management.
As the estimated cost exceeds Tk50 crore, the project requires ECNEC approval under the government's development project formulation, processing, approval and revision guidelines issued in June 2022.
After completing all other necessary procedures, the commission has recommended placing the project before ECNEC for consideration and approval.