The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of USD 180 million to enhance water supply and solid waste management services in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur.
The project, named Developing Resilient Environments and Advancing Municipal Services in Punjab, aims to benefit approximately 1.5 million residents, addressing challenges such as excessive groundwater extraction and urban environmental degradation.
The initiative focuses on expanding and modernizing the urban water supply in Rawalpindi, including the construction of new surface water intakes and a water treatment plant capable of processing 54 million liters per day. It also involves strengthening solid waste management systems in Bahawalpur, encompassing improvements in waste collection through the acquisition of equipment, a new fleet, and an innovative fleet management information system.
Additionally, the project includes the development of a recycling facility, a flood proof landfill, and the rehabilitation of an existing dump site, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability and resilience in municipal services while reducing carbon intensity. ADB Central and West Asia Director General Yevgeniy Zhukov highlighted the project’s significance in enhancing the sustainability and resilience of municipal services in these cities.
In Rawalpindi, measures will be taken to provide metered connections to 82,000 households through the installation of transmission and distribution pipes, upgrading water pumps, and establishing three pilot district metering areas for operational efficiency improvement. This comprehensive project reflects ADB’s commitment to addressing critical issues and fostering environmental sustainability in key urban areas in Pakistan.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has greenlit a USD 180 million loan for the Developing Resilient Environments and Advancing Municipal Services in Punjab Project, targeting improvements in water supply and solid waste management services in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur, as of November 29. Encompassing efforts to address issues like excessive groundwater extraction and urban environment degradation, the initiative is expected to impact around 1.5 million residents