Bangladesh, Opinion: Drinking water management: Crisis, inequality, need for effective action.
The demand for safe drinking water is a long standing issue in Bangladesh and continues to be one of the most urgent public concerns. Safe drinking water is a basic human necessity, yet millions of people are still deprived of it. The government has the responsibility to ensure access to safe and affordable water for all citizens, and this issue must be treated as a national priority because it is directly linked to health, dignity, and human rights.
Despite significant investments and policy initiatives, drinking water management still faces serious challenges. Weak implementation, lack of initiatives, inequality and governance failures, have reduced the effectiveness of many programs. According to reports by the World Bank, improvements in infrastructure have not always ensured safe and reliable water access, especially for vulnerable populations.
«Drinking water management in Bangladesh is not only a technical challenge but also a matter of governance, equality, and human rights. The government must take stronger responsibility to ensure safe drinking water at low cost for all citizens. This issue must be treated as a priority.
Ensuring transparency, reducing corruption, strengthening monitoring systems, regulating private water businesses, and investing in sustainable and climate resilient solutions are essential. Safe drinking water should never be treated as a luxury or a business commodity. It is a fundamental human right, and ensuring it is the responsibility of the state.»
