Cut in supply by CDA: RCB seeks Rs 737 million from centre for full water supply

[LahoreEstate]

By Aamir Yasin

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has requested the federal government for a financial injection of Rs 737 million to pay Capital Development Authority (CDA) its due share in construction and maintenance of Sangjani filtration plant at Khanpur Dam.

Sources in the RCB told Daily Times on Monday that the CDA had reduced water supply to the cantonment areas from 9 million gallons per day (MGD) to 7 MGD, as the RCB had failed to clear an outstanding amount of Rs 635 million. Shortage of funds is the sole reason for non-payment of dues to the CDA. The RCB’s water supply related outstanding payments to the CDA have also reached Rs 102 million.

The sources said that due to reduction in water supply, the civic body was facing difficulties in meeting the daily water requirement of cantonment areas. At present, the RCB is receiving 7 MGDs from Khanpur Dam and 5 MGDs from 53 tube-wells against the requirement of 19 MGDs.

The ongoing financial crunch coupled with absence of a regular funding from the federal government has also impacted on the ongoing development projects.

Moreover, the Punjab government has not been paying the RCB its Rs 137 million share in octroi despite passage of eight months.

The sources said that a financial injection from the federal government would help the RCB clear its dues for resumption of full water supply, as demand for water would increase during the summer season that was just round the corner.

The sources said that the dam had enough stock of water due to the winter rains and enhancing water quota of the RCB would not impact on the rights of other shareholders. “No water shortage would occur in next six months in cantonment areas if CDA agrees to enhance the RCB’s water share,” they said.

The areas receiving water from the dam are Westridge 1, 2, 3, Aliabad, Allabad, Misrial Road, Peshawar Road (lanes number 1-7), Tench Bhata, Allama Iqbal Colony, Kamalabad, Dhoke Syedan Chowk, Kalma Chowk, Lalazar, Tulsa Road and some adjoining areas.

There are few tube-wells in these thickly populated areas, which are not sufficient to meet their increasing water need.

The sources said that power load shedding had also hampered the smooth supply of water to many areas and in this regard the RCB was planning to install generators to keep the tube-wells moving but there were no funds. The tube-wells are to be installed in Chamanabad, Allama Iqbal Colony, Westridge, Allabad and Shelley Valley.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg11_5