Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority has permanently closed the needful water pump of Farmgate in the heart of the capital ignoring public concern.
Sources said the operation of the water pump was shut on December 7, 2012, reasoning out damage to water supply lines.
The Farmgate water pump was installed in 2001.
Primarily, Wasa officials gave the version that local supply line was cut because of installation of underground Telegraph and Telephone cable lines.
Later, officials of MODS Zone 3 visited the water-pumping station, and after quarry, they shut down the operation.
Now, the state-run agency says they have closed the pump permanently.
The closure of water pump has affected hundreds of residents, shop owners and even pedestrians in the area who regularly took potable water from the pump.
Locals also alleged that they repeatedly sent letters to the Wasa authority and also demonstrated against the closure of the pump, but to no avail.
Asia Khatun, a housewife in Tejturi Bazar, said: “When the Farmgate pump was operational, we collected drinking water from there, free of cost.”
Asia added that now she collected water from Wasa pipeline from one of her neighbour’s house, but the water from there was not as pure as that of Farmgate water pump.
Afjal Miah, a tea stall owner at Farmgate, said, “We are suffering due to closure of the water pump. There was a time when I collected water free of cost for my tea stall, but now I have to spend money on water.”
Afjal hoped that the government agency, Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), would review its decision and resume the operation of the water pump considering the needs of poor people.
Locals claimed that the pump station had turned into a den of antisocial activities, causing sufferings to city dwellers.
Ashikur Rahman, a private bank official and also resident of East Rajabazar, claimed that gangsters, drug peddlers and drug addicts, assembled at the water pump and commit anti-social activities.
“I also see them at day when I walk home from office in the afternoon,” he said.
“The young thugs also gather under Farmgate passenger shed and also near Ananda and Sando cinema hall,” he added.
On a recent visit to Farmgate, this correspondent found the same picture as described by the locals.
It was also found that there was no security or pump operator at the station.
Contacted, designated Wasa officials told the Dhaka Tribune that they had been instructed by “higher authorities” not to talk about the matter with journalists.
Most Wasa high-ups added that their Managing Director Taksem A Khan was the only spokesperson who could give information to journalists.
However, Wasa Chief Engineer Mohammad Shajahan was not available for talks about the matter.
When Shajahan was called over cellphone, his personal assistant told this correspondent that Sir was busy and he could not talk.
“If you need to know anything from sir, just tell me and try again later,” he added.
Contacted with the personal assistant further, he said: “Sir has said that the pump was closed in June due to crisis of underground water, and moreover at present, the DWasa supplies sufficient water. Therefore, it is not necessary to resume operation of Farmgate water pump.”
“All I said is the chief engineer’s version and you can use it as the quote of the engineer,” he added.
Later, the correspondent repeatedly tried to contact with DWasa Managing Director Taksem A Khan, but he was not available over phone.
It was also alleged that when the media persons tried to meet with Taksem in his office, mostly he avoided them under the pretext of emergency meeting.
Moreover, most telephone lines of DWasa office are out of service.
