No breakthrough on tube wells NOC dispute

Talks between the CDA chief, WASA officials fail to resolve the row

RAWALPINDI:

Efforts to resolve the dispute over the cancellation of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for 15 under-construction tube wells meant to supply water to Rawalpindi ended without a breakthrough during a meeting between CDA Chairman, Federal Parliamentary Secretary Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry and WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan.

The matter will now be referred to the Capital Development Authority's (CDA) Technical Committee for further deliberation.

According to sources, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) had launched a Rs1.4 billion project to install 15 tube wells along the service road from Faizabad to Koral Chowk to improve water supply to several areas of Rawalpindi.

Boring work on nine tube wells has already been completed, while the process of obtaining electricity connections was underway. Boring for the remaining six tube wells had yet to begin when the CDA withdrew the NOCs it had previously issued for the project.

The CDA reportedly revoked the approvals on the grounds that the installation of the tube wells could lead to water shortages in adjoining areas of Islamabad.

A detailed meeting was held on Sunday between the CDA chairman, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry, WASA MD Azizullah Khan, and senior officials from both organisations. During the meeting, WASA presented its case in support of the project, while the CDA defended its decision to cancel the NOCs.

Sources said no agreement could be reached despite extensive discussions. However, the CDA chairman decided to refer the matter to the authority's Technical Committee for a detailed review.

Officials said WASA has already incurred substantial expenditure on the project, including the completion of boring work for nine tube wells, payments to IESCO for electricity connections, and the award of contracts for boring the remaining six tube wells.