Sheikh Russel Water Treatment Plant – an impressive green development

Visitors will wonder at the lush green structures and beautiful flower plants welcoming them at the entrance to Modunaghat Sheikh Russel Water Treatment Plant in Chattogram. 

In line with the outer view, the inner decoration is also up to the mark with green plants and trees. Thus, visitors will get a second wave of surprise as 35,000 small, medium and large plants of various species will welcome them once they enter the compound. 

To keep the plant environment-friendly, various types of flower plants and trees have been planted in it. 

The plant has been built on 14 acres of land beside the Halda River, which is the biggest natural fish breeding ground in South Asia. The southern part of the entrance is covered with different flower plants, while the eastern side contains various flowers and decorative plants. 

Moreover, in front of the water treatment plant building, different local and international flower plants announce their presence, while the boundary is covered with some fruit plants. 

Around 12,000 trees with longer lifespans, including mango, guava, palm and Christmas tree, have been planted. The number of decorative trees and plants is around 22,000. 

Moreover, around 2,000 flower plants are increasing the beauty of the compound as well. They include rose, marigold and many international species. 

River water is treated using special methods that produce waste and mud. So, to prevent the waste and mud from polluting the rivers again, there is also a sludge treatment plant on the premises.

The plant has the capacity to treat around nine crore litres of water daily. There are solar power plants as well as 56 LED lights illuminating the entire compound. Taiyang Construction Engineering Company Limited took three years to build the plant. 

Seven gardeners have been appointed to take care of the flower plants. 

Jahirul Alam, one of the gardeners, said, "We water the plants, weed regularly and decorate the garden. I am happy to do the job."

Experts say green infrastructures should have ample space between buildings, and solar panels and LED lights have to be used instead of regular lighting. There should be a modern drainage and waste management system, no or less noise, and no harmful elements for humans.  

Green development also means there should be no detrimental impact on the environment. 

Engineer Rezaul Karim, chief city planner of Chattogram City Corporation, said green development means everything should be environment-friendly. 

"There should be long- and short-term afforestation, and a modern drainage system. Besides, there should be the system to produce energy from waste in order to reduce emission of harmful gas and carbon," he said.    

"Everything will be meaningless if the environment is not perfect. So, large projects should be green and sustainable," he added. 

Arifur Rahman, deputy director of the project and Chattogram Wasa engineer, said this is an eco-friendly project because the Halda River is next to the plant. 

"Everything is eco-friendly here and we have ample open space. The contractor firm was told to make the compound green and they did so. We have recruited people to take care of the greenery regularly," he said. 

The project was implemented under the Chittagong Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation Project at a cost of Tk1,890 crore. It began in 2011, and is a joint venture of the World Bank, the government of Bangladesh, and Chattogram Wasa. 

Later, it was renamed Sheikh Russel Water Treatment Plant. 

The World Bank has provided Tk1,494.90 crore for the project, while the Bangladesh government and Chattogram Wasa contributed Tk370.37 crore and Tk22.54 crore respectively. 

The plant was opened experimentally in November 2018 but became fully operational this month.