Latest news with #ChahanDamWaterSupplyProject
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Chirah Dam fast-tracked for twin cities' water security
Amid rapidly growing population in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and the resulting pressure on water resources, the federal government has decided to initiate the Chirah Dam project in the Chirah region of Islamabad. The move follows directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aimed at ensuring long-term water security for the twin cities. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has submitted a formal proposal to the Punjab Secretary of Housing for project approval. The Chirah Dam is expected to supply 28 million gallons of water per day (MGD) to the twin cities. The estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs80 billion. In parallel, two other key dam projects — Chahan Dam and Dadhocha Dam — are already under development and are slated for completion in the coming years. Originally delayed under the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the Chirah Dam project is now being fast-tracked following a recent high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister. The meeting focused on addressing the escalating water demand and the gap in current supply. In response, WASA submitted a request to engage consultants for the preparation of the project's PC-I (Planning Commission Form-I). Official sources say the Punjab Irrigation Department will oversee the construction of Chirah Dam, while WASA Rawalpindi will be responsible for establishing the surface water treatment plant and water distribution network. Upon completion, the dam will supply treated water equally to both cities — 14 MGD each. Meanwhile, the Chahan Dam Water Supply Project — currently underway with Asian Development Bank loan funding of Rs33.95b — is being executed under the Dream Project. Once operational, it will add 17 MGD to Rawalpindi's water supply. In addition, the Dadhocha Dam project is under construction by the irrigation department and will provide an extra 35 MGD to Rawalpindi. WASA Rawalpindi will manage the water purification, pipeline network, and rising main installations. For this, it has engaged Usmani & Co as the consulting firm to develop the PC-I documentation. According to WASA Managing Director Rawalpindi, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, the combined output from Chirah, Chahan, and Dadhocha dams will result in an additional 80 MGD of water — 14 MGD for Islamabad and 66 MGD for Rawalpindi. These initiatives, coupled with existing water sources such as Khanpur Dam, Rawal Dam, and various tube wells, are expected to significantly enhance the region's water supply infrastructure and sustainably meet the long-term needs of both cities.
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
WASA 'fails to satisfy' CM inspection team
Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and Deputy Managing Director Zeeshan Shaukat Gondal appeared before the Punjab Chief Minister's Inspection Team in Lahore to explain alleged irregularities in the awarding of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Chahan Dam Water Supply project contract. However, sources said the officials failed to satisfy the inspection team, and a final report will soon be submitted to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. They said the contract for Lot 2 and Lot 3 of the Chahan Dam Water Supply Project, valued at Rs20.4 billion, was awarded solely to the Turkish company Five H Insaat, despite a successful joint bid by Five H Insaat and the Pakistani company Qasim & Co. In response, Qasim & Co. challenged the decision in court, prompting the matter to be brought to CM Maryam Nawaz's attention. Concerned over transparency violations, she ordered a fact-finding inquiry by CMIT, directing the team to submit a report within seven days. Following the directive, Chief Minister's Inspection Team Chairman Salman Ijaz, along with members Ahsan Waheed, Ghulam Abbas Warraich, and an engineering expert, initiated the investigation. WASA MD Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and DMD Zeeshan Shaukat Gondal were summoned to Lahore with all relevant records. Sources reveal that during the initial inquiry, both officials failed to provide satisfactory answers to the team's questions, leaving the inspection team unconvinced. The investigation is examining all aspects of the case, particularly why a contract worth Rs20.4 billion was awarded in violation of transparency laws and regulations and whether it was done under pressure or on someone's instructions. The fact-finding report will be presented to CM Maryam Nawaz, who will decide on any action against those responsible.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Water supply project gets funding
RAWALPINDI: The Chahan Dam Water Supply Project, aimed at supplying an additional 25 million gallons of water per day from the Chahan Dam and Rawal Dam, has received a funding boost of Rs33.859b from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Under this project, the contracts for Lot 2 and Lot 3, worth Rs20.4 billion, have been awarded to the Turkish company 5H Insaat, with a delay of seven months. The contracts for Lot 1 and Lot 4 had already been awarded. The completion of all four contracts is expected within three years. Details show that the delay in awarding the contracts for Lots 2 and 3 stemmed from a disagreement between the Punjab government and the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). WASA had initially proposed that the contracts be awarded as a joint venture with a Pakistani company. Still, the Punjab government ultimately decided to award them exclusively to the Turkish company. The contract for Lot 2 is valued at Rs8.3 billion, and for Lot 3 at Rs12.1 billion. Work on Lot 1 and Lot 4 is already underway. Lot 1 involves the construction of a 12 million gallons per day water treatment plant at Chahan Dam, for which Rs6.36 billion contract was awarded to China Construction Third Engineering Group. Lot 4 includes the upgradation of filtration plants, pumping machinery, and the restoration of old water supply lines from Rawal and Khanpur Dams. The work will ensure 24-hour water supply to areas such as Khayaban-e-Sir Syed. The contract for Lot 4, valued at Rs7.199 billion, was awarded to a joint venture between MS Metra Kan and 5H Insaat. The completion of these projects will significantly improve the water supply system in Rawalpindi, particularly in the six union councils along Adiala Road and the city areas of Khayaban-e-Sir Syed. The project, funded by Rs33.859 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank, also includes the installation of a main pipeline from the Chahan Dam to Chak Jalal Din under Lot 2, and the development of a distribution network from Chahan Dam to supply water to residents under Lot 3. Hamza Salik has been appointed project director for the initiative, with Zeeshan Shaukat Gondal serving as deputy project director at WASA. WASA Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf confirmed that these projects, alongside the filtration plants at Rawal and Khanpur Dams, will resolve water shortages for 46 union councils in Rawalpindi and six adjacent union councils along Adiala Road. The completion of these projects will also help reduce operational costs, including the elimination of 70-80pc of WASA's tube wells, leading to a significant decrease in electricity expenses.
