RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has failed to start work on Khanpur Dam Water Supply Project as the federal government has not released the installment for the current fiscal year 2017-18.

A senior RCB official told Dawn that the federal government had not released funds for the project for the last one year as a result of which the project was stopped.

“We sought more than Rs200 million, but the request is still pending with the finance ministry,” he said.

He said the project was initiated in 2010 at a cost of Rs700 million with an aim to end water shortage in the two cantonments - Rawalpindi and Chaklala.

“Since the project was not completed on time, the cost escalated to Rs800 million. The PC-I was revised and sent to the government after the local PML-N leaders contacted the federal government in May 2017,” the official said.

He said following the ouster of Nawaz Sharif, things changed and the government reset its priorities. He said the civic body was trying to convince the ruling party members of the RCB to contact the federal government for the funds.

He said this summer, the civilian population of the cantonment was greatly affected by water shortage so there was a need to sort out the issue by next year.

He said the ground water level was depleting fast in the garrison city which can be gauged from the fact that the tubewell was installed at 600 feet compared to previous years when ground water was available at 350 feet.

“In Chaklala cantonment areas, more than seven tubewells went dry in May and June and the civic body had to resort to water rationing, which will continue even in October. We are providing water to consumers after two days for two to three hours,” the RCB official added.

When contacted, RCB spokesman Qaisar Mehmood said the board was working to start the project. He said shortage of funds was the main reason, adding that the finance ministry had been informed through a letter about the project’s requirements.

On the other hand, Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) Vice President Raja Irfan Imtiaz said there was a dire need to start the project.

“Chaklala is not getting much water from Khanpur Dam though supply lines have been laid in the area. People criticise board members for not doing any work, but we are helpless,” he said.

Mr Imtiaz said water shortage was the main issue in the cantonment areas and the government should device a plan to provide water from other dams. He said Ghazi Barotha project should also be started for Rawalpindi and Islamabad on fast-track basis otherwise citizens will stage a protest in the coming days.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2017