Punjab expands water project

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab government has launched a project to provide clean drinking water and modern sewage facilities to 2,000 villages, with a focus on improving public health and sustainable water management.

Following the success of a pilot project in 200 villages, where clean drinking water was provided, and treated sewage water was utilised for irrigation, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved the project's extension to an additional 1,800 villages. The project is set to be completed by June 2027.

The $553 million initiative will be powered entirely by solar energy with funding comprising $442.40 million in soft loans from the World Bank and $110.60 million from the Punjab government. The Punjab Local Government and Community Development Department (LG&CD) will implement the project through the Punjab Rural Municipal Services Company (PRMSC).

The CDWP, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, expressed satisfaction with the pilot results, which demonstrated a significant improvement in the availability of clean water and the safe reuse of treated sewage water for agriculture. The expansion aims to replicate these benefits across the province, addressing critical water and sanitation issues in rural areas.

Health experts have said that access to clean water is fundamental for a healthy population.