RAWALPINDI:
A feasibility study is underway for the project to generate power from the state-of-the-art Daducha Dam, which is being constructed at the junction of Kallar Syedan and Kahuta tehsils of Rawalpindi district.
Further, instructions have been issued for immediate preparation of a PC-I and detailed study for laying new large-scale water pipelines to supply water from the dam to Rawalpindi city.
The dam will also feature a beautifully designed European-style recreational park. Boating and scooter activities will be introduced to the reservoir. Located about 25 kilometers from Rawalpindi in Tehsil Kallar Syedan, the project involves the acquisition of 16,194 kanals and 14 marlas of private land, as well as large tracts of government forests and hilly terrains.
Once completed, the dam is expected to provide 35 million gallons of water per day to Rawalpindi. Initially proposed in 2001, the project had an estimated cost at the time of just Rs7 billion. However, after a delay of 25 years, the revised cost shot up dramatically to Rs52,730 million.
All land required for the project has now been officially acquired and affected residents have left the area. The Frontier Works Organization (FWO) is progressing rapidly with construction work.
Commissioner of Rawalpindi Division Aamir Rafiq, during a visit to the site, said that there is also a potential for power generation from the dam. He ordered that a study be conducted immediately in this regard and a report submitted accordingly. According to sources, an allocation of Rs20 million should be released soon for this purpose.
He further directed the Director General of WASA to prepare a study and PC-I during the current financial year for laying a 25 kilometer water supply pipeline from the dam to Rawalpindi city.
Once the study is completed, Section 4 will be imposed and land will be quickly acquired, while experts will determine the pipeline route.
The project will also include the construction of overhead water tanks and a large-scale water filtration plant, for which additional land will be acquired.
The commissioner announced that once the dam is completed, the surrounding colonies will also be provided with a water supply system, and instructions have been issued to prepare a comprehensive project in this regard.
It was also decided to develop the dam as a major leisure and picnic destination for the neighborhood, to reduce the burden on city parks and attract visitors from surrounding areas. Facilities such as boating and scootering will be available at Daducha Dam.
In addition, the site will be developed as a habitat for migratory birds arriving from Siberia during the harsh winter season.
