Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to start work on the Ghazi Barotha Water project by establishing a project management unit, a news source reported. The construction of this 45-kilometre pipeline to provide water to the twin cities has been under discussion since 2006, but work had not started yet.
Both Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been facing severe water shortage over the past few years. Islamabad receives approximately 60 million gallons per day (MGD), which is much less than its required 220 MGD, so residents of rural areas depend on water boring or smaller supply schemes. There is a huge gap between demand and supply in both cities. When this project is completed, it is expected to bring 100 MGD of water per day to the twin cities from the Indus River at Ghazi Barotha.
It has been estimated that the project will cost PKR 77 billion, so the CDA is currently exploring various options to arrange funding. The CDA has decided that the project management unit would work on coordinating with the Rawalpindi Development Authority, the federal government and other organisations to find ways to move the project forward.
A consultant will be hired to conduct a feasibility of the project and CDA Member Planning Dr Shahid Mahmood is expected to head the management unit. A separate PC-I will be prepared to acquire land for the project.
