RAWALPINDI: Divisional Commissioner Salman Ghani on Monday called for accelerated completion of major water supply projects, warning that water scarcity was a major challenge for Rawalpindi and was likely to intensify in the coming days.
He emphasised the need for urgent and concerted efforts to address the growing shortage, improve water resources and bridge the gap between demand and supply.
In view of the situation, the commissioner directed the relevant departments to take all possible measures to expedite work on major water supply projects, including Chahan Dam, Chirah Dam and Dadocha Dam, as well as utilise existing resources at Rawal Dam in accordance with the Punjab government’s directions.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting on water resources at the Commissioner’s Office. Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Azizullah Khan, officials from the Small Dams Organisation and representatives of other relevant departments attended the meeting.
During a briefing on water distribution and available resources, the commissioner was informed that Wasa Rawalpindi currently faced a daily water demand of 72 million gallons per day (MGD), against an available supply of 51 MGD.
The resulting shortfall of 21 MGD is expected to become increasingly critical in the coming years. To address the challenge, work on dams and water filtration plants is being pursued on an emergency basis.
The meeting was informed that Rawalpindi’s water supply depended on Rawal, Chahan, Dadocha and Chirah dams, as well as tubewell systems.
Regarding ongoing projects, officials said 92 per cent of construction work on Dadocha Dam had been completed. The project includes a 28-kilometre transmission line and a water treatment plant, which will supply 35 million gallons of clean water daily to the city.
The complete water supply network is expected to become operational by December 2029.
The meeting was also informed that the water treatment and filtration plant at Chahan Dam was scheduled for completion by December 2027. The project would provide clean drinking water to more than 250,000 residents.
Chirah Dam is also part of Wasa Rawalpindi’s master plan and is expected to provide an additional 28 million gallons of water to the city, further strengthening its supply capacity.
The commissioner directed all relevant departments to ensure the timely completion of the projects, emphasising that coordinated and accelerated efforts were essential to meet Rawalpindi’s growing water needs and mitigate the crisis in the coming years.
Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026
