Online Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday (July 13) urged the countrymen to show austerity in using water and electricity.

The premier made the call while addressing the inaugural function of South Asia's largest single sewage treatment plant (STP) named the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant in the capital's Khilgaon area, first of its kind in the country.

"Prepare a master plan to ensure pure drinking water and better sewage management system in each divisional town, district, upazila and union," she said, directing the authorities concerned including the LGRD minister to take prompt measures in this regard.

At the same Bangabandhu International Conference Centre function, Sheikh Hasina also laid foundation stone of the reconstruction and expansion of the Pagla Sewage Treatment Plant.

The Pagla Sewage Treatment Plant will be reconstructed in support with the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), having capacity of treating 200 million tonnes of sewage.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken measures for ensuring pure drinking water and better management of sewage in Dhaka, Rajshahi and Chattogram.

She said her government also wants to spread it across the country in line with its initiative to reach every civic amenity to village level under the project "My Village, My Town".

"The people of the villages will get all kinds of urban amenities in their reach," she said.

The premier asked all concerned to prepare the master plan in an integrated way.

"Don't use water and electricity unnecessarily, please show austerity in using those. You will also be benefitted from it, as the bill of those will be fewer," she added.

The Dasherkandi plant has a capacity of treating five million tonnes of sewage per day, which is 20 to 25 percent of the total sewage in the capital.

The plant is supposed to play a key role in saving the rivers surrounding the capital from the pollution.