Mohakhali Saat Tola slum residents protest water crisis

Inhabitants of the Saat Tola slum in Mohakhali have staged a demo in front of the Dhaka Wasa Mods Zone-5 office, demanding an immediate solution to the ongoing water crisis in the area. Led by the Saat Tola slum Central Community Based Organisation (CBO) President Selina Begum, they held the protest around 11am, yesterday. The protesters chanted slogans demanding a confirmation that legal Wasa water lines would be installed. A 10-member delegate of the slum inhabitants submitted a memorandum to the officials concerned of Wasa Mods Zone 5, said Israfil Hossain Akondo, chief engineer of Dhaka Wasa Mods Zone 5. Speaking to Wasa officials, Selina Begum said half the slum people had been deprived of legal access to water lines. “There are about 10,700 families at the Saat Tola slum and of them, only 5,000 families have access to the water lines,” she stated. “The inhabitants of Adarshanagar of the Saat Tola slum have not had access to water for a long time. Letters sent to Wasa, including to the managing director, were ineffective. When we complained to our nearest Wasa pump station, the pump operator merely asked us to open a water line in the slum area,” Selina added. The CBO leader, who is also a resident of the Saat Tola slum, said they had cut off the illegal lines after receiving assurance from Wasa that legal water lines would be provided. “Each family pays a water bill of Tk300 per month. But water only runs from 12am till 6am. It is especially difficult on Fridays when most people are at home. Not only is the supply of water low, it is also dirty because a major pipe has corroded,” Selina said. “The discontented slum dwellers are threatening to reconnect the illegal lines if Wasa does not confirm legal lines immediately,” she explained. The Wasa officials have assured the protesters the problem will be resolved by next Sunday. Central CBO General Secretary Kohinur Begum and local leaders of the ruling Awami League were in attendance, among others.