The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has partnered with the World Bank to develop water-related projects aimed at addressing the escalating demand for potable water in Islamabad.
Despite rapid population growth, the capital has not seen a major water project completed in the last three decades, leading to acute shortages in several areas. Currently, Islamabad requires 220 million gallons per day (mgd), but the CDA supplies only around 65 mgd, with rural areas relying on tube wells and other sources. The city’s primary water supply comes from Simly Dam, Khanpur Dam, and tube wells, as no new sources have been developed.
Over the past 20 years, the construction of dams such as Dotara, Shahdara, Chinot, Chirah, and the Ghazi Barotha project has frequently been discussed in CDA meetings, but none have moved beyond the feasibility stage.
A CDA official stressed the urgency of the issue, warning that without timely intervention, water shortages would worsen in the future. Every summer, residents face severe supply constraints, and with continued urban expansion and new housing developments, the crisis is expected to deepen further.
On Thursday, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa and board members met with World Bank Public-Private Partnership Adviser Michael Opagi at CDA headquarters.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, both sides agreed to collaborate on water-related projects with clear deliverables and timelines. The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation in multiple sectors, particularly initiatives to improve Islamabad’s water supply.
The CDA chairman emphasized the need for immediate action and expressed willingness to implement projects under a public-private partnership model. He also urged the World Bank to provide technical assistance and consultancy services to accelerate progress on these initiatives.
