Monda Dam Declares Best Option In Feasibility Study Of 'Greater Water Supply' Scheme

The PTI Government in its first 100 days has achieved tremendous success in water sector by completing feasibility study of the much-awaited 'Greater Water Supply Scheme (GWSS) to provide clean drinking water to residents of Peshawar.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Dec, 2018 ) :The PTI Government in its first 100 days has achieved tremendous success in water sector by completing feasibility study of the much-awaited 'Greater Water Supply Scheme (GWSS) to provide clean drinking water to residents of Peshawar.

"The National Engineering Services of Pakistan (NESPAK) has completed feasibility study of GWSS that would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs570 billion and it would cover all areas of Peshawar in term of clean drinking water's provision to people," a senior official in Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) told APP on Wednesday.

He said different options regarding bringing of water from Warsak, Munda, Bara and Jabba dams were discussed at length by water experts, however, Munda dam was considered the most viable for this mega project.

Munda dam's site is located both in Shabqadar Charsadda and Mohmand tribal district whereas Warsak Dam is in Mohmand tribal district adjacent to the settle areas of Peshawar while Jabba and Bara dams would be built in Khyber district.

"Munda dam is most feasible for GWSS because of its height as water will flow to all targeted areas without pumping. Monda operational cost is also lower than other dams and its water is also clean compare to Warsak dam," he maintained.

Warsak dam was considered first option for execution of the project when the idea of GWSSP was introduced few years ago whereas Monda, Jabba and Bara dams were considered minor sources of water for execution of the project.

When experts later visited the site, it was found that Warsak Dam was silty as compared to other dams and after technical studies, experts found Munda dam is the best available option for the mega scheme, he said.

The official said it was pilot project of KP Govt in water sector and efforts would be made to complete it by 2030 with an estimated cost of Rs 570 billion.

He said around 70pc population of Peshawar has been covered by WSSP and 30 percent by Public Health Engineering Department, saying 221million gallon per day water is being provided to consumers.

"The demand for potable water has enhanced in recent years due to rapid increase in population and migration of people from rural areas and other districts to Peshawar as around 144million gallons per day additional water would be required for Peshawarities by 2030," he maintained.

The official said greater water supply project after completion would not only cater water needs of people till 2050 but would also overcome shortage of clean water in rural areas of the provincial capital.

It will also help address issue of dropping of water table in Peshawar due to rapid establishment of tube-wells and massive misuse of water in car washing centres and other industrial and domestic consumption and will preserve underground water for upcoming generation.

The residents of Haytatabad, University Town, Peshtakra, board, Shaheen Town, Karkhano market, Acheeni, Suaid Dheri and other high areas would be provided drinking water from Jabba and Bara dams while water to low lying area of Peshawar would be supplied from Munda dam, he said.

To a question, he said provision of clean drinking water to urban areas of Peshawar is the mandate of Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar while rural areas are covered by Public Health Engineering Department.

The official said water is precious commodity required for people's survival and urged masses to avoid its misuse by playing role of responsible citizens.