RAWALPINDI:
Significant progress has been made on the Chirah Dam Water Supply project in the Chirah area 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 has been approved for a water treatment plant and main supply line. The installation of the treatment plant and the laying of a 20-kilometer main water supply line will require an estimated 55 billion. Rs. The total project cost will be jointly funded by the federal and Punjab governments equally.
Upon completion, 28 million gallons of water per day will be supplied and distributed equally between the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The canton area 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 directed the launch of the Chirah Dam project in the Chirah area of Islamabad. The construction cost of the dam has been estimated at Rs.43 billion and the execution is 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 main pipeline connecting Chirah Dam to the Rawal Lake Water Treatment Plant. After the feasibility phase, the installation of the treatment plant and the laying of the main pipeline will cost approximately 55 billion. Rs.
Once completed, the project will provide 28 million gallons of water per day, with 14 million gallons delivered daily to Rawalpindi and a similar amount to Islamabad. Managing Director WASA, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf stated that the Chirah Dam Water Supply project is of unique importance to meet the rapidly growing water demand of the twin cities.
