Chahan Dam water supply project gains momentum

Rawalpindi : Minister for Housing and Public Health Engineering Department, Bilal Yasin, visited the ongoing Chahan Dam Water Supply Mega Project on Saturday. The project, supervised by the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Rawalpindi and funded by the Asian Development Bank, is set to transform water supply infrastructure in the region. Wasa Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf accompanied the minister during the visit.

During his inspection, the minister reviewed progress on the water treatment plant and the dam separately. A detailed briefing was provided by the Chinese construction firm responsible for the water treatment plant, highlighting that work on the intake chamber and treatment plant had commenced. Within one month, 2% of the project has been completed, excluding the establishment of site offices and mobilization. The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress and urged the team to maintain the pace.

Wasa Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf informed the Minister that the project, part of the ambitious Dreams Program, aims to supply 12 million gallons of water per day from Chahan Dam. With an estimated cost of Rs. 6.30 billion, the project is expected to be completed within three years. Additionally, work has begun on a supplementary project to supply 5 million gallons of water daily from both Chahan and Rawal dams. These initiatives are anticipated to significantly alleviate water shortages in Rawalpindi.

Minister Bilal Yasin lauded Wasa Rawalpindi for initiating the project on schedule, emphasising that it will benefit over 300,000 residents in underserved areas of Rawalpindi. He reiterated the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s commitment to prioritizing clean drinking water projects, stating that such initiatives are vital for public welfare.

He urged the project team to expedite the construction process to complete the project ahead of schedule, ensuring that the public reaps its benefits at the earliest. The Minister also conducted a meticulous inspection of various project sites and expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of the work being carried out.

The Chahan Dam Water Supply Project stands as a testament to the government’s resolve to address water scarcity and improve the quality of life for Rawalpindi’s residents.