Delay in water tank distribution triggers public sufferings at Paikgachha

PAIKGACHHA, KHULNA, June 25:  A government project aimed at ensuring safe drinking water supply in Paikgachha Upazila of Khulna has come under scrutiny due to delays in the distribution of 3,000-litre water tanks, leaving beneficiaries frustrated and distressed.

Under the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), the water tank distribution programme is being implemented as part of Package No. 16, where a number of beneficiaries were selected in June�"July 2024.

As per project guidelines, concrete platforms (locally known as “vits”) are constructed before installing the tanks, either by the government or under local supervision.

Locals alleged that although platform construction was completed around one and a half years ago for beneficiaries under Package 16, a significant number of selected households are yet to receive their water tanks.

Due to the long delay, many of the constructed platforms have remained unused and are now beginning to crack and deteriorate under saline coastal conditions. Residents fear that the infrastructure may become unusable before the tanks are installed, raising concerns over wastage of public funds.

As a coastal area, Paikgachha faces an acute shortage of safe drinking water. Beneficiaries said they are growing increasingly frustrated as they continue to wait for the promised support.

They demanded immediate distribution of the allocated 3,000-litre tanks, warning that further delays could render the existing infrastructure completely useless.

Contacted, Upazila Public Health Engineer Prashanta Pal said the contractor faced delays due to financial constraints and work commitments in other upazilas.

He said distribution would resume in phases from the first week of July after the end of the June billing cycle, ensuring that all remaining beneficiaries receive their water tanks gradually.