ISLAMABAD: It seems the longstanding dispute between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Punjab government over the release of two million gallons of water from Rawal Dam for the federal capital is heading for a resolution.

Representatives of both sides will visit Rawal Dam on Tuesday (today) to decide on maintaining proper record of water released for the capital through a gauge.

The issue of water release was discussed in the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources held at the Parliament House where CDA officials informed the members that the civic authority would soon clear the outstanding Rs32 million to the Small Dam Organisation (SDO). The organisation, on its part, showed willingness to release water for Islamabad after completing formalities.

Rawal Dam, which was built in Islamabad, caters to the exclusive water needs of Rawalpindi. The CDA used to get two to four million gallons per day (MGD) water till the 1990s, but it was later discontinued.

However, last year, CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed decided to get the supply restored from Rawal Dam. The committee, headed by MNA Ali Nawaz Awan, directed both parties to settle the issue as Islamabad was facing shortage of water.

The subcommittee meeting held on Monday was presided over by MNA Hamid Hameed as the convener of the committee, Ali Nawaz Awan, could not turn up. He, however, joined when the meeting was winding up.

Speaking to Dawn, Mr Awan said the issue was almost resolved.

“Soon, Islamabad will get 2MGD from Rawal Dam as the Small Dam Organisation had shown its willingness in today’s meeting to release water to the CDA,” he said, adding that a joint visit was expected by representatives of both organisations on Tuesday to resolve the gauging issue. He also appreciated the committee members for their efforts in getting the dispute sorted out.

Islamabad has been in the grip of water shortage. The city’s total requirement is 220MGD, but receives only 65MDG from three sources – Simly Dam, Khanpur Dam and tubewells.

To a query, Mr Awan said efforts were afoot to open Rawal Dam Park, which had been lying closed for almost a decade, adding that a committee had been formed by the Punjab Irrigation Department to look into the issue.

Earlier, the committee had directed the fishery department of the Islamabad Capital Territory to take steps to start commercial fishing in the dam.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2021