RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has given in-principle approval to the Rawalpindi Development Plan, which includes major projects for improving water supply, sewerage systems, and rainwater harvesting in the city.
According to the private newspaper report, this was announced by Secretary of Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Noorul Amin Mengal during a meeting held at the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) office.
The meeting reviewed the ongoing work of WASA, RDA, Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), and Public Health Engineering Department.
Mr Mengal directed WASA to immediately prepare PC-I documents for the development schemes. He said similar projects have already started in Lahore, and now the provincial government wants to improve water and sewerage systems in Rawalpindi on the same model.
He suggested using PHA parks to build ground storage tanks for rainwater. “Every drop of water must be saved using all available resources,” he added.
Orders for Monsoon Preparations and Water Projects
The secretary also directed WASA to complete monsoon preparations without delay and fast-track the feasibility study for bringing water from Daducha Dam to meet the city’s needs.
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Mr Mengal appreciated WASA’s performance, especially its recovery of Rs2.6 billion in revenue, which exceeded its yearly target of Rs2.3 billion. He advised the agency to aim for an even higher target in the next fiscal year.
Leh Nullah Project and Sewer Treatment Plans
Discussing the Leh Nullah project, he said that two-lane roads will be built along both sides of the nullah, and all sewage will be directed into it. A sewage treatment plant will also be installed to treat the waste water for agricultural use.
Mr Mengal, who previously served as Commissioner Rawalpindi and RDA DG in 2023, said he was well aware of the city’s problems and development needs. He warned that the government will not tolerate delays in public welfare projects.
Ban on New Housing Schemes Before Master Plan Approval
He also instructed RDA and the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) not to approve any new housing schemes until the Rawalpindi Master Plan is finalized, which is currently near completion.
He added that the provincial government plans to bring all private housing society monitoring under a single civic authority. Until then, no new scheme will be allowed.
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Monsoon and Water Supply Update from WASA
WASA Managing Director Saleem Ashraf briefed the meeting about the agency’s monsoon plan. He said drain cleaning is in full swing, machinery is being overhauled, and staff training has been completed. Five monsoon camps will be set up across the city with teams and heavy equipment, and a main control room will operate from WASA’s head office.
He said 20 new tubewells are being installed, and steps are being taken to improve water supply from Rawal Dam and Khanpur Dam. Under new projects, the city will receive:
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12 MGD from Chahan Dam
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5 MGD from Rawal Dam
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8 MGD from Khanpur Dam
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35 MGD from Daducha Dam (feasibility underway and to be completed in two months)
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has finalized a Rs470 million project to beautify Raja Bazaar, from Fawara Chowk to Hamilton Road (Dingi Khoi). The proposal will be submitted to the Divisional Development Working Party (DDWP) on Monday.
According to RMC Chief Municipal Officer Imran Ali, Rs250 million will be used to shift existing services like electricity, gas, telephone, water, and sewerage lines. The remaining Rs220 million will go toward beautification efforts.
He said service providers like IESCO, SNGPL, PTCL, and WASA have already submitted their cost estimates. IESCO originally demanded Rs200 million for underground cabling, but after negotiations, the cost was reduced to Rs180 million.
Additionally:
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Rs30 million each will be paid to SNGPL and PTCL for service relocation
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Rs5 million will be given to WASA for relocating water pipelines
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Rs220 million will be used for road beautification and upgrading the main square in Raja Bazaar.
