Water prices in Dhaka will be fixed zone-wise: LGRD minister

There will be no subsidy for water in Dhaka city and provisions will be made to provide water to low-income people living in slums by fixing zone-based water prices in the capital, said Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam.

"Most of the people living in Dhaka city are rich. How morally justifiable is it to collect revenue from poor people and subsidise water for the rich? Why should people living in slums pay the same amount for water as the people living in Gulshan and Banani?" asked the minister in a programme. 

The minister was present as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the "City Journalism Training Workshop" organised by City Reporters Forum at Press Institute Bangladesh in the capital on Friday.

"Zone-based water prices will be fixed in Dhaka, which means the price of water will be higher in elite areas and relatively low in areas inhabited by low-income people. Besides water, holding tax, gas, electricity and other utility services should also be fixed zone-wise," the LGRD minister added.

Earlier in July, Dhaka Wasa increased water prices by 5%, effective from 1 September, according to which, the price of a unit of 1,000 litres of water increased by Tk0.76 to Tk15.94 and for commercial connection Tk44.2.

On 25 May last year, the price of water was hiked by 5%. In addition, Wasa made "price adjustments" in April 2021, September 2019, July 2018 and August 2017.

In his speech as the chief guest at the programme on Friday, Tajul Islam said a gazette for the Detailed Area Plan has been published. Now it has to be implemented, which requires everyone's cooperation. It will play a helpful role in making Dhaka liveable, modern and beautiful.

Mentioning that Bangladesh succeeded in controlling dengue compared to many countries, he said this success has been achieved with the cooperation of all concerned including the city corporation and the participation of the common people.