Rawalpindi’s 21 MGD water shortfall puts dam projects in focus

Rawalpindi  –  Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Salman Ghani on Monday directed the relevant departments to accelerate work on three major dam projects to help bridge the city’s daily water shortfall of 21 million gallons, warning that scarcity was likely to worsen in the coming years.

Chairing a meeting on water resources at his office, the commissioner stressed the need for urgent and coordinated measures to improve water availability, strengthen supply infrastructure and narrow the widening gap between demand and supply. He called for expedited work on Chahan, Chirah and Dadhocha dams, alongside the effective utilisation of existing resources at Rawal Dam, in line with the Punjab government’s directions.

Director Development Nazarat Ali Shah, Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Azizullah Khan, officials from the Small Dams organisation and representatives of other relevant departments attended the meeting.

During a briefing on water distribution and available resources, officials informed the meeting that WASA Rawalpindi faced a daily demand of 72 million gallons per day (MGD), against an available supply of 51 MGD, leaving a shortfall of 21 MGD. They warned that the gap could become increasingly difficult to manage as demand grew in the coming years.

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The meeting was told that Rawalpindi’s water supply depended on Rawal, Chahan, Dadhocha and Chirah dams, as well as tube-well systems. Officials said work on dam projects and water treatment and filtration plants was being pursued on an emergency basis to improve the availability of clean drinking water.

Briefing the meeting on Dadhocha Dam, officials said 92 per cent of the construction work had been completed. The project includes a 28-kilometre transmission line and a water treatment plant designed to supply 35 million gallons of treated water per day to the city. The complete water supply network is expected to become operational by December 2029.

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The meeting was also informed that the water treatment and filtration plant at Chahan Dam was scheduled for completion by December 2027. The project is expected to provide clean drinking water to more than 250,000 residents.

Chirah Dam, meanwhile, forms part of WASA Rawalpindi’s master plan and is expected to add a further 28 million gallons to the city’s water supply, strengthening its capacity to meet growing demand.

The commissioner directed all concerned departments to ensure the timely completion of the projects, emphasising that close coordination and accelerated implementation were essential to addressing Rawalpindi’s mounting water needs and reducing the risk of a more severe shortage in the years ahead.

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Separately, Commissioner Salman Ghani visited Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi to inspect its departments and wards and review the healthcare facilities available to patients. He examined the availability of medicines, cleanliness arrangements and the attendance of medical staff.

He directed the hospital administration to ensure the provision of quality healthcare, prompt medical assistance and essential medicines to all patients. Doctors and paramedical staff were also instructed to maintain regular attendance and fulfil their responsibilities diligently.

During the visit, the commissioner paid particular attention to the dengue ward, where he reviewed the treatment and care being provided to patients. He directed the administration to enforce dengue-prevention measures, ensure appropriate medical facilities and continuously monitor the condition of patients receiving treatment.

He further instructed the hospital to ensure that suspected dengue patients underwent the necessary tests and received timely diagnosis and treatment without delay.

The commissioner also called for improved cleanliness throughout the hospital, the proper functioning of medical equipment and effective measures to prevent unnecessary inconvenience to patients and their attendants.

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