ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched several projects to ensure supply of drinking water to the residents.

About Rs495 million have been earmarked for different projects, including repair and maintenance of water pipelines, tubewells, tankers as well as replacement and installation of pipelines.

After the resignation of Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz, the CDA had decided to restore “Islamabad the Beautiful.” Moreover, in October the civic agency also took control of four directorates of the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) - environment, sanitation, water and engineering along with the Machinery Pool Organisation, streetlights and market roads.

Civic body earmarks Rs495m for repair of pipelines, upkeep of tubewells, tankers

CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed had announced that all possible efforts will be made to repair, replace and restore water supply lines and tubewells.

A World Bank report, “Pakistan @ 100” showed that water utility services were intermittent in the country due to high leakage levels, limited supply and insufficient access to power.

It also claimed that inequality in accessing clean water and sanitation was higher in Pakistan than in many other countries.

On the other hand, according to Uicef, 53,000 children under five in Pakistan die annually from diarrhoea due to poor water and sanitation. Children suffering from repeated episodes of diarrhoea are likely to fall behind in school or drop out altogether.

Furthermore, it can also cause stunting that currently affects almost 44 per cent of children in Pakistan.

According to a statement issued by the CDA on Saturday, the water supply department has been making efforts to provide clean drinking water to the citizens. In this regard, rotten and broken water lines and tubewells are being repaired.

“Minor faults and damaged motors are also being repaired and replaced. On the other hand, tankers of the water supply department are also serving the city day and night for the supply of water to the residents. Tubewells have been repaired and renovated in G-10, G-11, F-11, I-9 and I-10. The water supply reservoirs are also being repaired. Water supply has been restored by repairing tubewells in G-6, G-7, G-8, G-9, G-10, G-10/3, G-11, F-6 F-7, F-8, F-10, I-9, I-10, H-9, H-10, Humak Town, Rawal Dam, Poona Faqiran and other areas,” it stated.

The water supply department has also repaired 12 faulty filtration plants after which now total 35 plants are operational. On the other hand, repair work on water lines in I-9, I-10, G-11, F-11 and F-10 is underway, it added.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2020