RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government is launching schemes to ensure the provision of clean drinking water across the province.

The initiative will be launched on a priority basis in Rawalpindi to ensure immediate and effective supply of clean drinking water to the citizens.

As part of the project, 1,151 filtration plants have been proposed for the Rawalpindi Division, which will directly benefit the public.

Divisional Commissioner Amer Khattak shared these views while presiding over a meeting focused on the provision of clean drinking water. The meeting was attended by officials from the district administration, Public Health Department and other concerned officials.

The commissioner appointed the additional deputy commissioner (headquarters) as the focal person for the “Clean Water” initiatives.

He directed all deputy commissioners to identify suitable land for the filtration plants within a week. Priority should be given to government-owned land such as schools, government offices, police stations or mosques.

In areas where government land is unavailable, private land that could be donated for the noble cause should be identified.

The commissioner said the provision of clean water was a top priority of the government. All relevant officials have been instructed to ensure swift implementation of the project so that the public can benefit from it as soon as possible.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced the launching of clean drinking water projects in south Punjab and Potohar region during her visit to Rawalpindi on July 8. She also announced early resolution of the water supply problem in Murree.

Under the plans, the existing system will be repaired and rehabilitated for supplying over 0.6 million gallons of clean water per day in Murree.

Mega water supply projects

The provincial government is also working on two main projects to increase water supply in the garrison city, including the Developing Resilient Environment and Advancing Municipal Services (DREAMS) worth Rs34 billion from Chahan Dam. Under this project, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided Rs34.124 billion to the Punjab government.

The second, costing Rs14 billion, is the Daducha Dam project being constructed upstream of Ling River to collect rainwater from Murree and Kahuta hills in a lake at Daducha village near Sihala on Kahuta Road.

It is believed that after completion, the project will help resolve the issue of water shortage in Rawalpindi as it will provide 35 million gallons daily (MGD) to the residents.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2025