ISLAMABAD – Authorities approved ambitious plans to build two new dams, promising a significant boost to the region’s water supply by December 2027. The high-stakes decision was taken during a key meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, attended by the prime minister’s adviser, the chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and senior officials from Wapda and the Punjab government.
One of flagship projects, Dotara Dam, will be constructed upstream of Khanpur Dam. According to initial findings presented by Wapda, the dam will supply a massive 72 million gallons of water per day to the twin cities. The project carries an estimated price tag of Rs40 billion, excluding land acquisition costs.
To fast-track the project, Wapda has been ordered to complete a detailed feasibility study within two months. Authorities made it clear that construction must begin immediately after the feasibility is finalized to meet the strict December 2027 deadline.
Alongside Dotara, the government has also approved the Shahdara Dam, to be built on the Shahdara stream in the Margalla Hills. This dam is expected to add another 10 million gallons of water per day to the supply system at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 billion.
Federal and Punjab governments have been urged to arrange funding for both projects. In a parallel move to curb water losses, the CDA has been instructed to crack down on leakages and replace rusted, aging pipelines that are draining the system.
Officials described the projects as critical steps toward securing the water future of the twin cities, as pressure mounts from rapid population growth and shrinking water resources.
Twin cities are facing an escalating water crisis caused by rapid population growth, overdependence on limited water sources, and aging infrastructure. The twin cities rely mainly on Khanpur and Simly dams along with groundwater, but declining rainfall, climate change, and excessive pumping have sharply reduced available supplies.
Groundwater levels are falling every year, forcing many residents to depend on expensive water tankers. At same time, large volumes of water are lost due to leaking and rusted pipelines, illegal connections, and poor maintenance.
