ISLAMABAD: City managers have decided to carry out a joint survey of the 18km Khanpur Dam canal, which supplies water to the twin cities, to address the issue of leakage and water theft.

Matters related to proposed dams for meeting water shortage also came under discussion.

A meeting was held at the CDA headquarters, which was presided over by Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa and attended by officials from the civic body, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Wapda and other departments.

A participant of the meeting said the basic purpose of the meeting was to set a roadmap for the newly-established ‘Islamabad Water’ agency, which was formed on Wednesday after the federal cabinet’s approval. Various other decisions related to water supply and proposed dams were also taken in the meeting.

Proposed dams to meet water shortage also discussed in meeting

“The CDA chairman directed that a joint survey be carried out by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab irrigation departments, RCB, Wasa Rawalpindi and CDA of the 18km distribution canal from Khanpur Dam to address water leakage, water theft and overuse of the share. Wapda will lead the survey. Each department will survey its designated section of the canal,” read a handout issued by the CDA after the meeting.

It is relevant to note here that a document of the CDA recently pointed out that Wapda release 51 million gallons per day for the CDA from Khanpur Dam (for both Islamabad and Rawalpindi) but the civic body received only 28MGD as water was being used through unfair means before it reached CDA’s reservoir in Sangjani.

The civic body believes that this loss of water was a result of theft and conveyance losses.

The CDA document further revealed that an estimated shortfall was 25 to 30pc of water.

It said the irrigation departments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa managed the distribution canals, and the potential losses and thefts allegedly occurred before the water reached the CDA intake point in Sangjani.

During the course of the meeting, Director General (Water Management Wing) CDA Sardar Khan Zimri presented an administrative and financial overview of the city’s water resources and outlined the existing shortfall.

He highlighted the disparity in water distribution from Khanpur Dam and urged to undertake corrective measures for ensuring equitable distribution.

During the course of the meeting, the CDA chairman emphasised the urgency of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to resolve the critical water challenges facing the city.

The meeting also discussed the need for separate electricity meters for RCB, Wasa and CDA and taking the matter up with Iesco for swift action. Both RCB and Wasa Rawalpindi expressed their commitment to resolve the issue of outstanding dues with CDA to urgently clear old liabilities.

In addition, plan for having a dedicated raw water pipeline from Khanpur Dam with an aim to reduce unauthorised water abstraction/theft was discussed, with stakeholders agreeing to share the pre-feasibility costs.

Additionally, concerns over water contamination at Khanpur Dam were raised, and urgent steps are being planned to make drinking water safe for Islamabad residents.

The meeting focused on future mega water projects, including the Indus River/Tarbela Dam water conduction project to address long-term water shortages in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. This proposed project, which was designed to provide 100MGD each to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, is being discussed since 2007, but no serious practical step has yet been taken to start construction work.

The meeting took up the proposed Chirah Dam project, being executed by the Punjab government on 50pc water and cost sharing basis with the CDA and Rawalpindi.

The meeting was told that detailed designing and estimation of this project was in progress. This dam was approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) in 2009. The dam is supposed to be built on Soan River near Chirah village with a capacity to supply Rawalpindi and Islamabad 15MGD. Many years ago, the CDA had paid Rs851 million to the Small Dam Organisation of Punjab for this project, but work has still not started.

Meanwhile, the meeting was told that Wapda had also been requested for pre-feasibility studies for Chiniot and Shahdara dams in Islamabad. While the meeting was informed that for Dotara Carryover Dam near Khanpur Dam, pre-feasibility is already underway through Wapda.

Official handout said the CDA chairman directed Member Technology and Digitalisation to introduce IT interventions, including e-based governance, e-billing and net metering to enhance the efficiency and transparency of water resource management.

According to the CDA, the meeting concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues collaboratively and work toward a sustainable water supply for Islamabad.

The CDA chairman directed to nominate focal persons from the relevant department to ensure streamlined coordination moving forward.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024