Work on the Developing Resilient Environment and Advancing Municipal Services (DREAMS) project, valued at Rs34 billion, has commenced at Chauhan Dam despite the incomplete land acquisition. The initiative aims to address Rawalpindi’s escalating water challenges.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided Rs34.124 billion in funding to the Punjab government for four major projects in Rawalpindi to supply clean water to residents.
The scope of the DREAMS project includes:
In the first phase, construction of a filtration plant at Chahan Dam has begun. However, only 9 out of the required 20 acres of land have been acquired for laying the water supply line and building the filtration plant and pumping station.
“A budget of Rs1,200 million was allocated for land acquisition, and over Rs600 million has been paid so far,” a senior district administration official stated, adding that the land collector is working to complete the acquisition process soon.
Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak recently visited the DREAMS-1 project site to review progress and issued instructions to ensure timely and high-quality completion.
During the visit, the Managing Director of WASA, Mohammad Saleem Ashraf, and RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza, along with other officials, briefed the commissioner. WASA’s MD highlighted that the project would benefit approximately 1 million people and is slated for completion by December 2027.
The project aims to conserve groundwater and increase surface water sourcing to 25.8 million gallons daily (mgd), aligning with WHO standards for water quality. It is also expected to boost WASA’s revenue by Rs100 million monthly.
Officials reported that the project commenced a month ago and has achieved five percent physical progress. Commissioner Khattak emphasized the importance of maintaining quality and transparency throughout the project’s execution.