ISLAMABAD, June 9: The government has earmarked Rs140 million for supplying water to Rawalpindi and Islamabad from Khanpur Dam.

According to the budget 2003-2004, the amount will be spent on two separate projects for supplying water to the twin cities.

These schemes are among six different projects being launched in the capital under the defence division at a cost of Rs306 million.

Of the total allocated amount, Rs100 million has been earmarked for project-I under which water will be supplied to the twin cities.

The total cost of the project is stated to be Rs717 million for which Rs340 million has been spent.

For project-II, that is also related to water supply, Rs40 million has been earmarked. In this project the second phase of water distribution system from Khanpur Dam to Rawalpindi will be established. The total cost of project-II is Rs510.3 million, of which Rs300 million has been utilized.

For a separate project of defence division an amount of Rs97 million has been allocated to establish a second phase of Islamabad Institute of Space Technology. About Rs100 million has already been spent on the project against its total cost of Rs197 million.

Besides, the defence division will also commission three new projects in Islamabad at an estimated cost of Rs69 million.

NEW PROJECTS: A National Centre for Drought/Environment Monitoring and Early Warning will be set up in the capital at an estimated cost of Rs243.2 million including Rs92.6 million foreign aid. The government has allocated Rs20 million for the project for the current fiscal year.