RAWALPINDI:
Significant progress has been made in the Chirah Dam water supply project in Chirah district of the federal capital Islamabad. Under the Punjab Irrigation Department, the construction of the dam will cost Rs 43 billion.
Meanwhile, under the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), a feasibility study costing Rs 80 million was approved for a water treatment plant and main supply pipeline. The installation of the sewage treatment plant and laying of a 20 kilometer long water supply pipeline will require an estimated amount of 55 billion rupees. The total cost of the project will be jointly funded by the Federal and Punjab governments on an equal basis.
Once completed, 28 million gallons of water per day will be supplied and distributed equally between the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Cantonment areas will not be included in the project. The project is expected to be completed within two and a half to three years.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had led the launch of the Chirah Dam project in Chirah region of Islamabad. The cost of constructing the dam has been estimated at Rs 43 billion, with the execution to be carried out by the Irrigation Department. WASA has prepared a feasibility estimate of Rs80m for a water treatment plant near Rawal Lake and a 20 kilometer long main pipeline connecting Chirah Dam to Rawal Lake Water Treatment Plant. After the feasibility phase, the installation of the treatment plant and laying of the main pipeline will cost around Rs55b.
Once completed, the project will make available 28 million gallons of water per day, of which 14 million gallons will be supplied daily to Rawalpindi and an equal quantity to Islamabad. WASA Director General Muhammad Saleem Ashraf said that the Chirah Dam Water Supply Project is of exceptional importance in meeting the rapidly growing water needs of the Twin Cities.
