ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration has started a program to provide clean drinking water in rural areas of the capital by installing three new solar-powered water filtration plants. These plants aim to help communities with limited access to safe water avoid waterborne diseases.
According to a private newspaper report, one of the plants was opened in Sangjani by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (East), Islamabad, and the World Health Organization’s Country Representative for Pakistan.
The project is a joint effort between the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the Government of Canada, and the WHO. The Sangjani plant will supply clean water to over 23,000 people, including local residents and Afghan refugees living in the area.
The plant runs on solar power, ensuring a steady supply of filtered water even in areas with unreliable electricity. Solar energy also makes the plant sustainable and lowers its operating costs. The filtration plants will operate daily, allowing community members to collect clean water whenever needed.
–ALSO READ–
When will Punjab start work on Lahore’s new Yellow Line Train Project?
These plants are a big step forward for communities that previously depended on unsafe water sources, which caused health issues. Officials at the opening highlighted that clean water is essential for preventing diseases, especially for children and others at risk from poor water quality.
Local residents welcomed the project, expecting better health and relief from the challenges of unsafe water. The Deputy Commissioner’s Office plans to expand the program to other underserved areas of Islamabad to improve infrastructure and quality of life in rural communities.
In another development, city authorities have decided to add an extra lane to the two-lane Srinagar Highway between Jinnah Square (Serena Interchange) and Murree Road to reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity. This decision comes as the Murree Road underpass project nears completion, with its official opening scheduled for May 22.
–ALSO READ–
WhatsApp to introduce status reshare option in upcoming update soon
Last week, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) invited bids worth Rs1 billion for road widening and improvement work around Jinnah Square. The Murree Road underpass, which is part of the Rs4.2 billion Jinnah Square project, is about 80% complete, with final work underway.
Once finished, the underpass will allow drivers coming from Murree to directly access Srinagar Highway, bypassing the current route through Dhokri Chowk. The CDA saved Rs250 million from the main Jinnah Square project, which, along with Rs600 million in additional funds, is being used for the underpass. A few months ago, the CDA board approved hiring the Jinnah Square contractor to complete the underpass work.
