MURREE: The Punjab government has decided to re-launch and extend the stalled Jhelum Bulk Water Supply Scheme to the Rawalpindi city.

The mega project was initiated during the government of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) in 2005 to cater to a proposed city near Murree. But the new city project was later shelved. However, pipelines, generators and other equipment bought to bring water from the Jhelum River were left rusting under the open sky.

A source in the provincial government told this correspondent that fresh approval had been granted to the project in order to meet the growing need of water in the garrison city.

Keeping in view the water crisis, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) planned to obtain water from the Jhelum River.

According to the plan, water would be first brought to Murree and Kotli Sattian from Kohala, Jhelum River, and then to Rawal Dam from where it would be supplied to the Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas.

The provincial government had already given a green signal to the concerned authorities for financing the project. The water would be siphoned to the Rawal Dam through a pipeline from the Murree and Kotli Sattian junction.

A network for supplying water to the Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas already exists. Only Rs260 million would be spent on supplying water to the Rawal Dam from Murree and Kotli Sattian.

When contacted, RDA Chairman Arif Abbasi confirmed that the proposal was under consideration to ascertain if the excessive water under the project could be used for the growing needs of the citizens of Rawalpindi.

MNA Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, who has been vocal for the completion of the project, told Dawn that he along with MPA retired Maj Latasab Satti had been making efforts to execute the project in the best interest of the people of the constituency. He said under the project, about 5.5 million gallons of water would be drawn from the river.

About 3.5 million gallons of water is required in Murree city during the summer season and a plan is being formulated to use the rest of the water for the villages. Some water could also be taken to the Rawal Dam for the needs of the consumers in Rawalpindi, he added.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2018