Photo: BSS

KHULNA, July 2, 2025 (BSS) - Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and Khulna Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) will jointly implement a project to modernise the health and sanitation systems for low-income families residing in the slums of Bastuhara and Rupsha Char in the city.

UNICEF will provide financial assistance for the implementation of this project.

The information was disclosed at an orientation session on the project titled "Climate Smart WASH System in Khulna City Corporation" held on Wednesday at the GIZ Auditorium of the City Corporation building.

The session highlighted that due to natural disasters and saltwater intrusion, agricultural productivity in rural and coastal areas has decreased, prompting people to migrate to urban areas in search of livelihoods.

Many of these migrants have settled in slums where essential services like clean water, sanitation, healthcare, drainage, and education are limited. 

As a result, residents, particularly women and children, face numerous health challenges, including waterborne diseases, skin infections, respiratory problems, and reproductive health issues. 

The aim of the project is to modernize drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services at nearby healthcare centers to address these challenges.

Under the project, the slums of Bastuhara and Rupsha Char will benefit from the Installation of Water ATM booths for safe drinking water, Establishment of wastewater treatment plants, Modernization of sanitation systems, and Construction of a medical waste management plant.

It was informed in the meeting that around 80,000 members of low-income families will benefit from the project.

Additionally, the meeting called for allocation of land for wastewater treatment plants in the two slums, approval of layout and design for the water purification facilities, Power connections for sewer pipelines, construction of septic tanks, disconnection of septic tanks from open drains, removal of hanging latrines, and the implementation of a pro-poor pricing model for septic tank cleaning.

Speaking as the chief guest, KCC Administrator Md. Firoz Sarkar described the project as timely and emphasized raising awareness among beneficiaries and training KCC personnel for the proper maintenance of the project facilities.

Md. Hossain Shawkat, Managing Director of Khulna WASA, and Peter Mayes, Chief of WASH, UNICEF, addressed as special guests.

Khan Selim Ahmed, Supervising Engineer, Khulna WASA, Md. Kawsar Hossain, Head of UNICEF Khulna Division, Md. Monirul Alam, WASH Officer, Dr. Faria Fahim Badon, Md. Ashfakur Rahman, Asif Ahmed, WHO Program Officers, Kohinur Jahan, KCC's Chief Waste Management Officer and Executive Magistrate, officials of wards 9 and 22 respectively, along with representatives from various NGOs, were present.

Md. Shafiqul Alam, WASH Specialist at UNICEF, presented the detailed project description.