ISLAMABAD: Feb 17 (APP): The Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Monday chaired a meeting on water supply issues to Islamabad from Khanpur Dam and given detailed briefing about the progress made on improving the supply of water from Khanpur Dam to Islamabad. The Minister directed to rectify all issues coming in the way of smooth supply of water. The Planning Minister has already given instructions for initiation of work on Phase II of the supply of water from Khanpur Dam reservoir. He said ensuring sufficient supply of water to the twin cities is a clear priority of the government. It is pertinent to mention that although the existing facilities provided at the WTP – Sangjani are 51 MGD however the plant is being run under the capacity. Rawalpindi is getting 15 MGD instead of 34.17 MGD while Islamabad about 10 MGD instead of 16.83 MGD at present. In this reference the Minister instructed that desalting work of the canal from the Khanpur dam to Sangjani Water Treatment Plant needs to be expedited and that one execution authority should be responsible for the operation and management work of the canal. It was also decided that a new project of 52 MGD water would be initiated for which, land is available with CDA that would help in additional supply of water to the twin cities.
Minister Asad Umar directed for the preparation of its PC-1 fulfilling the needs of feasibility study and a proficient consultant for the project. The meeting was attended by Mr. Ali Nawaz Awan, SAPM on CDA, Member National Assembly Raja Khurram Nawaz, senior officials of planning commission, CDA officials, MD WASA, Irrigation departments of Punjab and KPK, Cantonment Board Rawalpindi and WAPDA.
VNS ISLAMABAD
