Water supply project faces setbacks

The Chahan Dam Water Supply Project, designed to deliver 17 million gallons of water daily to Rawalpindi residents, has hit significant delays due to the pending appointment of a new land acquisition collector.

The project, funded by a loan of Rs3.3859 billion from the Asian Development Bank, requires the acquisition of 157 kanals of land and an allocation of Rs980 million for payments to landowners.

However, a lag in implementing the land acquisition award has stalled both the land acquisition process and the start of project work.

Recently, a notice was issued to Rawalpindi City Tehsildar and Land Acquisition Collector Zafar Abbas for delays in carrying out the land acquisition award, as well as for negligence in official duties.

In response, the deputy commissioner has sent Abbas's services back to the Board of Revenue and recommended the appointment of a new land acquisition collector. Without swift action on this appointment, the project remains indefinitely delayed, placing further strain on Rawalpindi's water resources and residents awaiting relief from chronic water shortages.

The Chahan Dam Water Supply Project's scope includes multiple components. Once underway, it will involve acquiring land from various localities including Sheikhpur, Garja, Renal, and Morgah, where key facilities such as a water treatment plant, pumping station, and pipeline network will be built. The first phase of the project includes establishing a water treatment plant with a daily capacity of 12 million gallons, for which a contract has already been awarded to China Construction Third Engineering Group Pvt Ltd.

WASA has secured the Asian Development Bank loan to not only build new infrastructure but also upgrade the existing water supply network, including essential improvements to filtration plants and pumping machinery.

The project's initial phase comprises two major contracts. The first contract, valued at Rs6.36 billion, has been awarded to a Chinese company to construct the water treatment plant at Chahan Dam. Meanwhile, a Rs7.199 billion contract has been granted to MS Meatra Mine and BDL 5H Institute Joint Venture to upgrade filtration plants and pumping machinery at Rawal Dam and Khanpur Dam.

This contract also includes the restoration of outdated pipelines in areas such as Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, with a commitment to ensuring a continuous 24-hour water supply. Both contracts are expected to be completed within a three-year timeframe.