Chattogram Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) installed a total of 174 fire hydrants at various locations in the city at a cost of Tk 41 million over six years from 2016 to 2022 as a source of water for fire extinguishing. However, none of these have ever been used by the fire service and civil defence.
The issue came to light after several fire incidents in Chattogram, including a fire on Bailey Road in Dhaka.
Both government agencies are giving different statements regarding the use of these hydrants. The fire service has cited low water pressure in hydrants as the reason for not using them. He says that using these hydrants requires a water pressure of four to five times (the unit for counting water pressure). The water pressure of these hydrants is only one bar, which can raise water up to a maximum of 10 meters. Furthermore, these hydrants have no hose pipe. The hydrant also does not have an adapter to connect the hose pipe.