Two Dams To Be Completed in Islamabad to Address Water Needs: Talal Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 18th Aug, 2026)
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry informed the National Assembly on Tuesday that two new dams would be completed within four years to help address Islamabad’s growing water shortage.
Responding to a calling-attention notice on water scarcity and the need for water purification and recycling plants in Islamabad Capital Territory, he stated that the capital required 240 million gallons of water daily, but only 80 million gallons were currently available.
He revealed that feasibility studies for the Shahdara and Dothara dams are underway through the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda). The projects are expected to be completed within three to four years, meeting Islamabad’s water needs for the next 30 to 40 years, according to the minister.
Chaudhry emphasized the government’s efforts to promote rainwater harvesting, with plans to build rainwater wells and incorporate rainwater harvesting provisions in building approvals. He also announced the replacement of old water pipelines in Islamabad sectors within one and a half years, adding that a PC-I for the project is already prepared.
Expressing concern over poor water bill recovery, the minister noted that even affluent sectors like F-6 have low payment rates, with only 10% overall recovery. He urged lawmakers to collaborate with authorities to improve bill recovery and encourage timely payments. He also advocated for water conservation, highlighting practices like washing vehicles at home as wasteful.
Raining harvesting has now been integrated into standard operating procedures for new scheme approvals, the minister said. He attributed Islamabad’s unplanned expansion to illegal settlements along Lehtrar Road, whose sewage contaminates water sources. He announced plans for a sewage treatment plant costing between Rs30 billion and Rs40 billion in the area, with another plant under construction in I-9.
