MUZAFFARABAD: The intake weir, digital flow metering system, and geotechnical investigation component of Muzaffarabad’s Makri Greater Water Supply Scheme have been formally commissioned, marking a major step towards the uninterrupted supply of 10 million gallons of clean drinking water per day for nearly 450,000 residents of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) capital.

The project was inaugurated by AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, who unveiled a plaque that notably omitted his name — a rare but consistent practice he has adopted since taking office, breaking with a common political tradition.

Briefing attendees at the ceremony, Executive Engineer (XEN) Imran Mukhtar explained that since around 280 cumecs of water from the Neelum River was diverted at Nauseri, some 41 kilometres upstream of Muzaffarabad, through a tunnel system following the commissioning of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP) in 2018, the water flow downstream was significantly reduced, leading to serious environmental and social issues, particularly a shortage of potable water in Muzaffarabad.

Initially, NJHP authorities had committed to releasing 9 cumecs at Nauseri, with the expectation that tributaries along the way would contribute an additional 8–9 cumecs. After several negotiations with project authorities, the release was increased first to 14 cumecs and later to 20 cumecs. This brought the flow at the Makri Treatment Plant — situated on the river’s left bank northeast of the city — to approximately 25–30 cumecs.

He said the treatment plant had pre-settling tanks, clarifiers, and filter beds that could treat water with turbidity levels up to 100 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units). During the monsoon season, higher or double doses of alum were used to temporarily manage turbidity levels of up to 400 NTU and prevent water shortages.”

To address these issues comprehensively, the NJHP authorities agreed to fund the construction of the Makri intake weir under its Confidence-Building Measures (CBM) programme.

Originally budgeted at Rs 1.073 billion, the project cost was later revised to Rs 1.663 billion, XEN Mukhtar said, adding, work commenced in July 2020 and was completed earlier this month under the supervision of the Physical Planning and Housing (PPH) and Public Health Engineering (PHE) departments.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Haq said the government would ensure consistent funding for major development schemes in Muzaffarabad and would not allow such projects to remain incomplete.

He congratulated engineers from the PPH and PHE departments as well as the contractors for successfully completing the project, describing it as a “slap in the face” of those who, “blinded by prejudice,” had accused him of being biased against the capital city.

“The government is actively executing long-stalled development projects in Muzaffarabad, including a major sewerage scheme,” he added.

Highlighting his administration’s economic performance, the prime minister said:

“We should be thankful that we receive 40 kilograms of wheat flour for Rs 2,000 and electricity at Rs 3 per unit. We have even presented a tax-free budget. Despite a subsidy burden of Rs 70 billion on electricity and flour, the AJK government is not running a deficit.”

He said his government had expanded revenue streams and eliminated the budget deficit without federal assistance.

“We simply stopped dishonest practices, took action against mafias, and cut off the beneficiaries who shielded them. We changed the governance culture, reducing the prime minister’s entourage to just three people.”

He claimed that corruption had been eradicated in the Highways Department through the implementation of e-tendering, which ensured transparency in public procurement.

“As long as my authority serves the public good, I will continue. The day it doesn’t, I will step aside,” he declared.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2025