Chahan Dam water project to bring clean water to 250,000 Rawalpindi residents by December 2027
RAWALPINDI: The Chahan Dam water supply project is expected to be completed by December 2027, easing chronic water shortages in several parts of the garrison city and providing clean drinking water to more than 250,000 people.
Punjab Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Bilal Yasin gave the timeline during a visit to the project site, where he reviewed progress on the construction of the filtration plant.
A “gift” from the chief minister
The minister described the project as a gift from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to the people of Rawalpindi. Once completed, it would ensure clean drinking water for several areas of the city, he said.
The water treatment plant is expected to be completed next year and would improve access to clean water and essential civic facilities for more than 250,000 residents.
Project facts: cost, capacity and funding
Wasa officials briefed the minister that the project is being executed with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank and the Punjab government. Key figures:
- Total cost: Rs35 billion
- Planned capacity: 25.8 million gallons per day
- Objective (DREAMS project): conserve groundwater and shift to surface water sources
- Work began: October 2024
- Completion target: December 2027
It is worth noting that the ADB has provided $114 million in loans to the Punjab government at 2pc interest for four major water projects in Rawalpindi — a sign of how heavily the city’s water future depends on outside financing.
Why Rawalpindi needs it
Rawalpindi’s water supply has long lagged behind demand. Tube wells and tanker deliveries fill the gap in many neighbourhoods, and groundwater levels have been falling for years. A surface-water scheme of 25.8 million gallons a day would take real pressure off the city’s depleted aquifers.
The project sits within the DREAMS programme, whose stated aim is precisely this shift: conserve groundwater and build supply from surface sources such as dams.
Housing and parks on the same tour
During the same visit, the minister inspected houses being built under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme and reviewed construction work. He said providing homes to middle-income families was among the Punjab government’s top priorities.
According to the minister, financial assistance has been provided to 217,520 families under the programme, while 126,239 houses have been completed so far.
Yasin also visited the Parks and Horticulture Authority and inspected parks across the city, accompanied by PHA Director General Ahmed Hassan Ranjha. The authority briefed him on completed and ongoing horticultural projects — public recreational facilities, tree plantation, restoration of green spaces, and upgrades to squares and roundabouts.
The minister stressed the importance of the initiatives for improving the urban environment and said the authority was working to make Rawalpindi greener, cleaner and more attractive.
Related reporting:
- Rawalpindi news — our city coverage hub
- Punjab — our provincial coverage hub
- Punjab CM — leadership coverage
- Women take to two wheels in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Source: Dawn
Frequently asked questions
When will the Chahan Dam project be completed?
The target is December 2027. The water treatment plant is expected to be finished next year, with full project completion a year later.
How many people will benefit?
More than 250,000 residents of Rawalpindi are expected to receive clean drinking water once the project is fully operational.
How much will it cost?
The total cost is Rs35 billion, funded with assistance from the Asian Development Bank and the Punjab government.
What is the DREAMS project?
It is the programme under which the scheme is being built. Its objective is to conserve groundwater and increase supply from surface water sources, with a planned capacity of 25.8 million gallons per day.
