Punjab approves Rs36bn for Daducha Dam water treatment, supply project
RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has approved a Rs36 billion project for the construction of a surface water treatment plant and water supply system at Daducha Dam, which will add 35 million gallons of treated water a day to Rawalpindi’s supply network, the Housing Department said on Sunday.
According to a department official, the project is scheduled to be completed by December 2029 and is aimed at strengthening the city’s long-term drinking water supply through the development of a surface water source and associated treatment and distribution infrastructure.
The department said Wasa Rawalpindi would undertake the construction of the water supply infrastructure. The agency would also develop the transmission line and distribution network required to convey treated water from Daducha Dam to Rawalpindi after the reservoir becomes available.
Secretary Housing Noorul Amin Mengal has appointed Sohail Aslam, Deputy Managing Director of Wasa Rawalpindi, as project director of the Daducha Dam Surface Water Treatment Plant and Water Supply System project, according to the Housing Department.
Mr Mengal directed the project director to maintain close coordination with all relevant departments and agencies and closely monitor implementation. He also stressed that the approved timelines must be strictly followed and directed the concerned officials to ensure that all components of the project move forward in a coordinated manner for completion by December 2029.
The Housing Department said the planned addition of 35 million gallons of treated water per day would help improve the reliability of Rawalpindi’s drinking water supply.
It said the project had been approved in view of the city’s growing water requirements and the need for a more sustainable source of potable water.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has repeatedly directed the concerned authorities to accord priority to the provision of clean drinking water and expedite water supply projects in areas facing shortages, according to the Housing Department.
At a recent review, the chief minister said the government would continue working to ensure the availability of clean drinking water to the people of Punjab and directed the departments concerned to accelerate projects aimed at improving water supply.
The Housing Department said the Daducha project would provide the treatment and supply infrastructure needed to utilise water from the dam for Rawalpindi’s municipal network, linking the surface water source with the city’s transmission and distribution system.
The department said the project would also form part of broader efforts to improve Rawalpindi’s water and sanitation infrastructure under the Punjab government’s development programme.
Earlier, the Punjab government had been working on a broader plan to upgrade Rawalpindi’s water supply and sewerage infrastructure, including the development of surface water treatment facilities and expansion of the distribution network.