Balochistan govt allocates Rs8.8b for 510 new water projects
The Balochistan government has earmarked Rs8.837 billion in the budget for the execution of 510 new projects to ensure regular supply of clean drinking water to people.
“The availability of potable water issue will be resolved after the completion of the projects,” an official of the provincial government said on Friday. Briefing on the schemes, he said the project included water supply schemes, establishment of water and sanitation system, water storage tanks and construction of various water pipeline systems in the province.
Read more: ‘Underground water level alarmingly low in Balochistan’
The provincial government was taking short-term, medium-term and long-term measures to address the issue of water shortage is Quetta.
Under the short term strategy, the government has earmarked Rs1.657 billion in the financial year 2021-22 as a non-developmental grant to provide additional funds to Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Quetta. The medium term measures included construction of various dams on the outskirts of the provincial capital, including Mangi Dam and Srah Khullah Dam, besides installation of water treatment plants and water conservation tanks.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2021.