Work has begun on replacing an old, 11-kilometer-long concrete pipeline from Rawal Dam to Rawalpindi city with a new 33-inch steel pipeline. This upgrade will supply an additional 5 million gallons of water daily. Similarly, a new water pipeline from Chahan Dam will be installed, along with two large underground and overhead reservoirs.
The Chahan Dam project is expected to provide 12 million gallons of water daily, while the old filtration plant at Rawal Dam will also be upgraded.
Punjab Minister for Housing and Public Health Engineering, Bilal Yasin, has directed the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to expedite the construction of the Chahan Dam. This ambitious project is designed to supply 12 million gallons of water per day (mgd) to Rawalpindi, alleviating the city’s longstanding water shortage.
During his visit to the project site on Saturday, Minister Yasin emphasized the importance of timely completion, expressing satisfaction with the current progress. The Chahan Dam project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is part of Wasa’s broader Dreams Project aimed at improving water supply infrastructure in the garrison city.
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Progress and Plans
The minister inspected the dam construction and the accompanying water treatment plant, which is being built by a Chinese firm. Officials briefed him on the progress, reporting that the intake chamber and treatment plant were already 2% complete, just one month after construction began.
Wasa Managing Director Mohammad Saleem Ashraf highlighted that the Chahan Dam is one of four major water supply initiatives being executed under the Dreams Project with $114 million in funding from the ADB. These projects include:
- Replacement of the Conductance Main: Upgrading the main water line from Rawal Lake filtration plant to Sufaid Tanki on Saidpur Road at a cost of Rs 3.031 billion.
- Water Supply Augmentation: Developing district metered areas in Khayaban-i-Sir Syed worth Rs 1.662 billion.
- Integrated Water Supply System: Centered on the Chahan Dam with an estimated cost of Rs 28.556 billion.
- Hydrological Assessment: Conducting studies worth Rs 875 million to ensure sustainable water supply for Rawalpindi.
Currently, work on the Chahan Dam and its filtration plant is in full swing. Nine out of the required 20 acres have been acquired to lay supply lines and construct the filtration plant and pumping station. Additionally, efforts are underway to revive an abandoned pipeline from Rawal Dam, which will provide an extra 5 mgd of water to the city.
Government’s Vision for Clean Water
Minister Yasin underscored that clean drinking water projects are a top priority for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He stated that the Chahan Dam would significantly benefit over 300,000 residents, particularly in underprivileged areas of Rawalpindi.
He urged all stakeholders to accelerate their efforts and ensure the project is completed ahead of schedule so that the people of Rawalpindi can benefit sooner.
“Providing clean water to the people is a key goal, and I am pleased to see that this vital project has been initiated on time,” the minister said, stressing the importance of timely execution to meet the city’s water needs.
The successful completion of these initiatives is expected to alleviate water shortages in Rawalpindi and improve the quality of life for its residents.