The Business Club of
the Department of Business Administration at the World University of Bangladesh
organized an industrial tour to the Padma (Jashaldia) Water Treatment Plant on
July 14, 2025, providing students with practical exposure and industry insights
to enhance their readiness for future professional challenges.
The tour began at 9:30 AM with a group photo
alongside Prof. Dr. Selim Ahmed, as 60 students and faculty members departed
for the Padma Water Treatment Plant. Upon arrival at 12:30 PM, Dhaka WASA
officials warmly welcomed the group. Superintending Engineer Mr. Mihir Kumar
Datta inaugurated the program, and Assistant Engineer Mr. Shoel Rana presented
an overview of the plant’s operations, safety protocols, and key functions.
During an interactive Q&A session,
students learnt that the Padma Water Treatment Plant primarily serves
Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, and Old Dhaka. Although the plant has a capacity of 450
million liters per day, it currently supplies 240 million liters daily due to
distribution limitations. Students also learnt about operational challenges
such as reliance on a single power supply source.
During the tour, students were divided into
two groups. They first visited the Intake Pumping Station, where they learnt
about water abstraction, debris screening, and challenges such as
sedimentation, fluctuating water levels, and power issues. Next, they explored
the High Lift Pumping Station, which uses advanced pumps and control systems to
efficiently distribute treated water across service areas. At the Booster
Pumping Station, students observed how water pressure is enhanced for distant
or elevated zones using surge tanks, sensors, and backup power units. The tour
continued to the Central Power Station and the Water Quality Control
Laboratory, where advanced testing equipment and trained professionals ensure
water safety in accordance with WHO and national standards. The final stop was
the SCADA Central Control Room, which monitors and manages the entire treatment
and distribution process using real-time data and remote-control systems to
enhance operational efficiency.
After the technical tour, students enjoyed
lunch and participated in recreational activities, including a football match
and a visit to the Padma Bridge. They then attended a closing session featuring
speeches from plant officials and university representatives. Departing at 6:30
PM, the students found the tour highly valuable for gaining practical insights
into industrial operations and water treatment technologies. They also
appreciated the commendable hospitality of the Dhaka WASA officials, which
underscored the importance of organizing similar tours in the future.
