Ullapara, Sirajganj – The municipal water supply project in Ullapara, which was designed to provide clean water to 6,000 residents, has been hampered by widespread meter theft. According to municipal officials, more than 3,000 of the 6,000 meters installed for the project have been stolen before the water supply began. Ashraful Islam Bhuiya, the municipal executive officer, said that the theft of meters has increased over the past year, with the highest number of incidents occurring in the last six months. “We installed 6,000 meters for the residents, but over 3,000 have been stolen in the past year,” he told reporters. “The theft has been most frequent in the Ghorgat, Kaowak, and Ullapara areas, which could delay the connection of customers.” The water purification plant, located on the banks of the Ghatina River, was completed as part of the project and was inaugurated by District Commissioner Aminul Islam. Despite the inauguration, the municipal authorities have not yet started supplying water to the customers. Residents of the Zikra area, including Majharul Islam, Ashraful Islam, and Sajjad Hosen, reported that meters were installed in their homes but were stolen before the supply could begin. “We have not received any water, and the meters are missing,” said Majharul Islam. The residents have filed complaints with the municipality and are demanding that the stolen meters be recovered and that water supply be started promptly. Ullapara police officer Mehdi Hasan said that the police are aware of the meter theft problem and have increased patrols in the area to prevent further incidents. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will take action against those responsible for the theft,” he said. The municipal authorities have stated that the theft of meters has created complications for the implementation of the water supply project, and they are working to address the issue while ensuring that the residents receive the promised clean water.
Article source: Ajker Patrika | Image credit: Ajker Patrika