RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Chairman Tariq Mahmood Murtaza on Wednesday visited the Chehan Dam site, to inspect arrangements for provision of water to the city.

He was accompanied by RDA Director General Amara Khan and Wasa Managing Director Raja Shaukat Mehmood. Small Dams Organisation Executive Engineer Umair Ahmed gave them a briefing about the progress of construction work at the dam.

He said it will be completed in the next financial year. “The dam’s pond is ready and work on spillways is underway. Punjab government has released required funds for the remaining work and hopefully next year water pounding will begin,” he said.

Mr Mehmood said that funds of Rs200 million were released last year and Rs250 million were allocated for next year’s proposed budget by the Punjab government.

“These funds are being utilised for land acquisition of project components including water filtration plant, laying main water supply line, ground storage and overhead tanks. Design work of the project is in progress and physical work will begin next year.

“The project will be completed in two years after which six Union Councils of District Council including two UCs of Chak Jala Din, Dhama Sayyadan, Dhamial, Kalyal and Girja will be supplied six million gallons of drinking water per day,” he said.

Mr Murtaza said: “This is a very important project and should be completed in time. Project’s focus areas are facing an acute water shortage and residents have to pay more for buying water from private water suppliers.”

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2020