Dhaka, July 21 -- The government is in the stage of finalising the Industrial Water Use Guidelines, a long-awaited policy framework to regulate groundwater extraction by industries, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the interim government on environment, forest, and climate change.

Speaking at an event titled 'Fostering Sustainable Investment', organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) on Monday, the adviser said that under the forthcoming guidelines, industries will no longer be allowed to extract groundwater without restrictions or cost, as has been the case for many years.

"The policy does not mean industries have to start paying for groundwater immediately, but over time, they must bear the cost and red...