Punjab approves Rs36 billion Daducha Dam water supply project for Rawalpindi

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a major water supply initiative aimed at addressing Rawalpindi’s growing demand for clean and safe drinking water through the construction of a surface water treatment plant

RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a major water supply initiative aimed at addressing Rawalpindi’s growing demand for clean and safe drinking water through the construction of a surface water treatment plant and an associated supply system at Daducha Dam.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Housing Department, the project carries an estimated cost of Rs36 billion and is targeted for completion by December 2029.

Under the approved plan, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) will develop the water supply infrastructure required to transport treated water from the Daducha Dam project to Rawalpindi. The initiative is expected to strengthen the city’s water distribution network and provide a more reliable source of potable water for residents.

Officials said the proposed treatment facility is designed to supply around 35 million gallons of clean water per day into the city’s water supply system once the project becomes operational.

The project is being viewed as an important step toward addressing Rawalpindi’s longstanding water shortage and improving access to safe drinking water. With the city’s population and water requirements continuing to grow, authorities have been seeking additional sources to reduce pressure on existing supplies.

Following completion of the dam and related infrastructure, WASA will undertake work on the transmission line and water distribution network needed to carry treated water to different parts of Rawalpindi.

Officials said the coordinated development of the treatment plant, transmission infrastructure and distribution network would be essential to ensuring that the additional water supply reaches consumers efficiently.

The Punjab government expects the Daducha Dam initiative to contribute significantly to the city’s long-term water security. The project is also aimed at reducing dependence on existing water sources while improving the availability and quality of drinking water for Rawalpindi’s residents.