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Provinces to Allocate Indus Water Share for Needful of Twin Cities’ Residents

By: Haroon-ur-Rasheed
ISLAMABAD, (July 7, 2011): The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been waiting for ‘go ahead’ from Sindh and Punjab provinces to grab 200 million gallons per day water from Indus River, so to resolve chronic water deficiency problem of Islamabad/Rawalpindi residents.

This correspondent learnt this from CDA administration where an official talking to this correspondent said, “Allocation of Indus Water for the twin cities’ residents seems bone of contention between the provinces and CDA, which has been lingering the execution of this valuable project.”

During the recent meeting of Council of Common Interest (CCI) held on 31st May, 2011 in the chair of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, it has been enforced to settle the issue of water allocation from the provinces as soon as possible, so to kick off with this project.

As per CDA, feasibility has already been completed, whereas PC-I of the scheme, at a cost of Rs. 37405.58 million with FEC of Rs. 14931.05 million was submitted to Planning Commission of Pakistan for the approval. Officials have estimated the whole cost of the project at Rs. 85000 million ($1 billion).

During the recent visit of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to China, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been discussed pertaining to funding of this project, which is in its early stages of the maturity.

“However, Pakistan is confident enough that Government of China would soon be agreed for this megaproject’s funding. France would also be consulted as the second option if China refuses to provide funds”, CDA official told.

Water deficiency in twin cities has become a protracted issue for the dwellers. Water supplies from Rawal dam and Simly dam are insufficient since population of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, during the last decade, has swollen disproportionately.

Capital Development Authority (CDA) had proposed conduction of water from Indus River System at Tarbela dam to the twin cities, to ensure a perennial source for sustainable water supply.

The proposal was tabled in 2004, which was to be completed in five years’ time from the date of its approval.

CDA also told that project remained under hot discussion in Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting held on February 12, 2008, which was deferred till the allocation of water from the Indus River System Authority (IRSA).

CDA has also confirmed that Ministry of Water and Power prepared a summary pertaining to this project’s approval from the Prime Minister and was subsequently submitted.

The issue of water allocation from IRSA is still under consideration of Federal Ministry of Interprovincial Coordination, which will discuss this issue with Sindh and Punjab provinces following the enforcement in CCI meeting.

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