Chirah Dam to boost twin cities' water supply

Rs43bn project is expected to be completed in 2.5 to 3 years

RAWALPINDI:

Significant progress has been made on the Chirah Dam Water Supply project in the Chirah area of the federal capital, Islamabad. Under the Punjab Irrigation Department, construction of the dam will cost Rs43 billion.

Meanwhile, under the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), a feasibility study costing Rs80 million has been approved for a water treatment plant and a main supply line. The installation of the treatment plant and laying of a 20-kilometre-long main water supply line will require an estimated Rs55b. The total project cost will be jointly funded by the federal and Punjab governments on an equal basis.

Upon completion, 28 million gallons of water per day will be supplied and equally distributed between the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The Cantonment areas will not be included in the project. The project is expected to be completed within two and a half to three years.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had directed the launch of the Chirah Dam project in the Chirah area of Islamabad. The dam's construction cost has been estimated at Rs43 billion, with execution to be carried out by the Irrigation Department. WASA has prepared a feasibility estimate of Rs80m for a water treatment plant near Rawal Lake and a 20-kilometre-long main pipeline connecting the Chirah Dam to the Rawal Lake Water Treatment Plant. Following the feasibility phase, the installation of the treatment plant and laying of the main pipeline will cost approximately Rs55b.

Once completed, the project will make available 28 million gallons of water per day, with 14 million gallons supplied daily to Rawalpindi and an equal amount to Islamabad. Managing Director WASA, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, stated that the Chirah Dam Water Supply project is of exceptional importance in meeting the rapidly growing water needs of the twin cities.