Roadmap set for Islamabad Water Agency

Following approval from the federal cabinet, a roadmap has been devised for the newly-established Islamabad Water Agency.

The plan includes a joint survey involving the Punjab Irrigation Department, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Capital Development Authority (CDA), and the relevant departments of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

The survey, to be led by WAPDA, aims to address water wastage, theft, and excessive use along the 18 km canal from Khanpur Dam.

Each agency will focus on its respective section of the canal.

A meeting held at CDA headquarters in Islamabad, chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, brought together senior officials from CDA, WASA Rawalpindi, WAPDA, RCB, and other stakeholders. Randhawa highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to address Islamabad's water issues and called for cooperation across departments.

During the meeting, CDA's director general for the water management wing provided an extensive review of the city's water resources, underlining the challenges in water distribution from Khanpur Dam and stressing the need for immediate action to ensure fair allocation.

A joint survey was mandated to curb water theft and misuse, with each department responsible for its portion of the canal. The meeting also addressed the need for separate electricity meters for RCB, WASA, and CDA, with IESCO's involvement in swift resolution.

Additionally, a proposal for a new pipeline to curb illegal water usage from Khanpur Dam was discussed, with stakeholders agreeing to share the initial feasibility costs.

Long-term water solutions, such as the Indus River/Tarbela Dam project, were also deliberated to mitigate future water shortages in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Discussions extended to the Chaira Dam Project, a collaborative initiative between the Punjab Government and CDA on a 50-50 cost-sharing basis. WAPDA was requested to conduct pre-feasibility studies for other potential projects, including the Chiniot and Shahdara Dams, with Dutara Dam's pre-feasibility study already underway.

Randhawa directed the CDA's technology and digitalisation members to enhance efficiency in implementing IT solutions such as e-governance, e-billing, and net metering in water resource management. Urgent measures were also emphasised to secure potable water for Islamabad's residents.