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[SUPARCO]

China to quench twin cities' thirst through Indus
Tuesday, June 05, 2012

ISLAMABAD: In order to overcome the extreme shortage of drinking water in the capital, the Capital Development Authority has finalised an agreement with a Chinese company for laying a water conduction line for supply of water from the River Indus to Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

According to details, under the plan 200 MGD water would be supplied through the pipeline, which will be completed at a cost of $ 1.2 billion. The Chinese government has agreed to provide entire financing of the project at a nominal interest rate of 2.5% that will be repayable over a period of 20 years after completion of the pipeline.

CDA Chairman Engineer Farkhand Iqbal, on the express direction of the government to meet the shortage of water of the capital, visited China recently and completed the negotiations. According to sources work on the project would start soon.

The sources said that presently 96 MGD water is being supplied to the citizens and there is shortage of 106 MGD. On completion of the project for 200MGD, the CDA would be able not only to meet the existing demand but the additional supply would be enough for the expanding capital city. Surplus water would also be provided to Rawalpindi, the neighbouring city.

The CDA officials said that the authority would be saving enough money through electricity bills as a huge sum was being spent on pumping of water to different sectors. Since the conduction line would come through Margalla Hills, it would not have to be pumped mechanically, thus saving in electricity bill.

They said the CDA chairman is taking keen interest to make the capital a model city and the supply of enough water would discourage people from extraction of ground water thorough hand-pumps. That would also raise the water level underground and enhance greenery of the city. inp

http://dailytimes.co...5-6-2012_pg11_8