‘Assessment under way to evaluate capital’s water requirement’

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi on Thursday apprised the National Assembly that a fresh detailed assessment was being carried out to assess the future requirements of water of the capital keeping in view the continuous growth of the population.

Replying to various questions during question hour, he said that appropriate measures would be taken after the completion of the assessment.

There was also a proposal under consideration for upraising of Simly Dam, he said, adding that during the third periodic inspection report of the project, the consultants have just stated that in view of the reservoir contours, there is a possibility of raising the height of dam up to 2340 ft from 2330 ft subject to detained feasibility.

However, he said the water supply line was very old. About 1,700 major and minor leakages have been rectified by replacing leaking portions of main as well as distribution lines during the last two years which has helped to save 8-10 million gallons of potable water.

To another question, the minister said that a total of 84 officers and 161 officials were appointed and transferred to CDA since 2015 on a deputation basis to date, out of which 37 officers and 46 officials were still working, while the rest of them had been repatriated to their parent departments.

Approval was also sought from the finance division to fill vacant posts in CDA, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2023.