For a long time, Bangladesh suffered from economic stagnation as a result of internal conflict, independence movements, and other social disorder, which in turn hindered infrastructure development. Since the 2000s, however, the country has achieved remarkable economic growth, due in part to its key role in the apparel industry, and is now a leading developing nation.

Due to its being located in a subtropical zone, heavy rainfall in the wet season means Bangladesh benefits from an abundant volume of water. However, much of the country’s groundwater sources contained an unsafe amount of arsenic. Further, with a lack of water infrastructure that could provide clean water, the creation of waterworks that could ensure a stable supply of safe water was paramount.

To play its part, Kubota Construction participated in the Karnaphuli Water Supply Project in Chattogram, a large city in the southeast of Bangladesh. This was the country’s first large-scale water infrastructure construction scheme. A JICA-led ODA project, the aim was to create a system to draw water from the Karnaphuli River, which flows into the Bay of Bengal, purify it, and then direct it through around 100 km of conveyance, transmission, and distribution pipelines (Phase 1 and 2). Utilizing its outstanding pipeline technologies, Kubota proposed optimized methods for the challenging work, which required special aqueducts and pipe jacking techniques. Phase 1 of construction involved the laying of 68 km of water supply piping. Using mainly its nine-meter long ductile iron piping,^*1 Kubota supplied a massive 4,863 pipes to the large project.

Kubota began work on Phase 1^*2 in 2012, and the project was a challenge—with huge numbers of workers, endless traffic congestion, spring water from newly dug holes, soft soil, and uncertainty about what was buried underground, the site was enveloped in chaos. That said, the team’s determination was clear—a supervisor working on site at the time said, “If we can create waterworks we can supply water. We can ensure a better living environment for the locals. That’s why we are working here. Only we can supply them with water.”

As part of the project, Kubota also helped to improve the skills of Bangladeshi supervisors and develop local personnel. The company also focused on safety management education. Making protective clothing, helmets, and safety boots compulsory, as well as repeatedly offering on-site guidance, helped to enhance safety awareness among the workers, and Phase 1 was completed without any accidents.

Due to the success of Phase 1, Kubota was also commissioned for Phase 2. After eight years, Phase 2^*3 was completed in 2019, and the developments are expected to increase the water supply coverage rate in Chattogram from 47% (the water supply coverage rate prior to construction) to 85%. Elsewhere, while previously water was only available for less than half the day, availability is steadily increasing. The approximately 100 km of pipelines installed by Kubota serve as “Pipes of Life,” and will no doubt enrich the city of Chattogram and better the lives of its people.