Twin cities to get water share from Indus River

Islamabad

The consent of all the four provinces to mega project of water supply from Indus River to Rawalpindi and Islamabad has come as good news for residents of the twin cities.

The Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) through a letter addressed to the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Indus River Water Authority (IRSA) and other concerned departments in Islamabad and Punjab province, conveyed consent of four provinces given at meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

Except from Sindh, the three provinces had already agreed to conduction of water from Indus River at the site of Ghazi Brotha Dam. The Sindh province, however, gave its consent during a recent meeting of CCI.

As per decision taken at CCI meeting, an allocation of 74 cusecs of water each from share of Punjab and Sindh, 24 cusecs from Balochistan and 28 cusecs from share of KP province was agreed.

Under the project, the twin cities would get 100 Million Gallons Per Day (MGD) of water.

The feasibility study of the mega project was completed during the year 2008. Then cost on the project was estimated at Rs 44,841 million and matter was also discussed at Central Development Working Party (CDWP) as the IRSA certification for water allocation from Indus River to Rawalpindi and Islamabad was required.

The issue was also discussed by CCI twice during the years 2011 and 2014 but it remained unresolved till incumbent management of the CDA expedited the matter and approached Cabinet division and Ministry of Finance which resulted in landmark decision taken by the CCI.

The CDA management, in the meantime also contacted the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) in an effort for possible funding by the World Bank.

Initially, the World Bank has agreed to extend funding of $5 million for project preparatory facility.