CDA floats tender for Shahdara Dam, Islamabad's first new water source in 30 years

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has floated a tender for the Shahdara Dam project, which will add the first new water source to Islamabad's supply system in nearly 30 years, according to TechJuice. The authority announced on Wednesday that construction will begin soon.

CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf said the PC-I for the project sets a two-year completion timeline. TechJuice reported that the authority aims to finish the dam within 20 months. The dam will be built near the Shahdara picnic area.

The Express Tribune reported that the project is expected to introduce a new source of surface water into the capital's network and help meet growing demand. It said the project is being pursued under the vision of Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, under the supervision of Islamabad Water Director General Sardar Khan Zimri.

Reports differ on how much water the dam would add. The Express Tribune said it is projected to contribute approximately 510 million gallons per day (MGD), while TechJuice, citing a CDA press release, said approximately 5 to 10 MGD. Both said the figure is subject to final design, technical assessments and operational arrangements.

According to TechJuice, Islamabad has a water demand of around 250 MGD. The CDA supplies approximately 70 MGD, mostly to urban areas, from Khanpur Dam, Simly Dam and tubewells. Rural residents largely rely on borewells and small schemes run by the district administration.

Ashraf said four check dams will be built at the foothills of the Margalla Hills, including near D-12, Shah Allah Ditta and Saidpur. A project to build 100 recharge wells is also set to begin to raise the city's underground water table. Tenders for the check dams and recharge wells have not yet been issued.

Islamabad receives around 1,100 millimetres of rain a year, but much of it flows away through nullahs, the report said. The CDA releases large quantities of water from Simly Dam each monsoon, and Rawalpindi releases water from Rawal Dam because it has no system to store surplus water.

The CDA is working with JICA on a master plan for water supply, sewerage and drainage. It has also planned Chinot Dam in the Simly Dam catchment area and Dotara Dam in the Khanpur Dam catchment area.