ABBOTTABAD, Jan 8: An eight-member Japanese team on Tuesday completed an initial study for the Abbottabad Greater Water Supply Scheme which will cost Rs1 billion to be provided by Jica (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

The team— comprises engineers, geologists, surveyors and other experts in water supply planning— had spent at least 15 days in visiting more than 20 potential spots in different parts of the district and its surroundings for the scheme.

The study group will put forward a proposal for final consideration for which a memorandum of understanding has also been signed.

During the survey, the team identified various water resources which include use of water from upper belt of Galyats, Thandiyani and Stoney Lake to be transported to the Abbottabad city through pipelines for which storage tanks with filter plants will be constructed.

A proposal was also set to construct a main storage tank at the top of Shimla Hill from where water will be supplied to the entire city and superb areas on ‘Gravity Flow System’ as according to experts, the available water will be enough to meet the daily requirements of at least 300,000 people.

Besides the main city area, the Banda Jat of the city that includes Salhad, Shiekhulbandi, Mirpur and Nawnsher will also benefit from the scheme if approved.