CDA notifies up to fourfold increase in water bills

Authority invites feedback against tariff hike till June 20

RAWALPINDI:

The water branch of the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) has increased water rates by up to 400 per cent for citizens, shopkeepers, traders and commercial units across the city. The department has sought feedback from the consumers over the increase on which the final verdict would be next month.

With the increase, the costs for all commercial properties, including homes, businesses, apartments, gas stations and retail stores will significantly increase.

According to the schedule issued by the water branch, the water rate of commercial units has been increased from Rs104 per month to Rs364 per month. For single shops, it has been increased from Rs120 to Rs420, for bakeries from Rs288 to Rs1,008, while the cost for those offering bathing services has been increased from Rs56 to Rs196.

For laundry operators, the price has increase from Rs576 to Rs1728, for barber shops it has jumped up from Rs120 to Rs360, for meat shops from Rs288 to Rs864, and for poultry shops from Rs288 to Rs864.

There was a fourfold increase in the water rate for petrol stations, going up from Rs10,000 to Rs40,000.

The rate for service stations jumped from Rs8,000 to Rs32,000, and for cinemas from Rs5,000 to Rs20,000.

For soda water manufactures, the cost was increase from Rs2,000 to Rs8,000, for covered shops in market it was trebled from Rs56 per shop per month to Rs168 per shop.

For those running traditional washing services (dhobis), the rate was increased from Rs150 to Rs450, for tea stall operators from Rs288 to Rs864.

The fruit and vegetable shop owners would now be required to pay Rs864 instead of Rs288. For those operating cold storage at the fruit and vegetable market, the price climbed from Rs6,400 to Rs19,200.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2023.