Govt proposes Tk144 crore project for tea workers' water, sanitation
Targets 254 tea gardens and 6.29 lakh workers by 2028
The government has proposed a Tk144.13 crore project to improve water supply and sanitation facilities for tea garden workers in 11 districts.
The proposal, prepared by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), aims to ensure safe water and sanitation services for workers in 254 tea gardens by 2028.
According to the project document, around 629,510 workers are expected to benefit from the initiative. The revised development project proposal (DPP) has been sent to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives for approval and necessary action.
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The three-year project, scheduled from January 2026 to December 2028, is proposed to be implemented under DPHE.
Under the proposal, infrastructure such as tube wells, sanitary latrines, biofil toilets and community toilets will be installed across tea estates. Hygiene promotion campaigns and training programmes will also be conducted to improve awareness among workers.
The project is expected to support efforts to ensure access to safe water and sanitation under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Before implementation, agreements will be signed with tea garden authorities, while the Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Ministry and private sector entities are expected to support the initiative.
According to the document, about 75% of tea workers are women, making them primary beneficiaries of improved facilities.
Data in the proposal show that 7,490 water sources serve tea workers, with around 84 people depending on each source, while 20,073 toilets are shared by an average of 32 workers. The document cites findings indicating that open defecation remains common, with many workers using open spaces, roadside areas or nearby water bodies, and hygiene practices such as handwashing remain inadequate.
The project proposes to install climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure to ensure services remain functional during adverse weather.
According to the project document, improved water supply and sanitation are expected to help protect health and reduce disease risks among workers.
