RAWALPINDI:
A feasibility study is being initiated for the proposed generation of electricity from the modern Daducha Dam, which is being constructed at the junction of Kallar Syedan and Kahuta tehsils of Rawalpindi district.
Further, instructions have been issued for immediate preparation of a PC-I and detailed study for installation of new large scale water pipelines to supply water from the dam to Rawalpindi city.
The dam will also feature a beautifully designed European-style recreational park. Boating and motorcycle activities will be introduced at the reservoir. Located approximately 25 kilometers from Rawalpindi in Tehsil Kallar Syedan, the project includes the acquisition of 16,194 kanals and 14 marlas of private land, along with extensive tracts of government forests and hilly lands.
Once completed, the dam is expected to supply 35 million gallons of water per day to Rawalpindi. Initially proposed in 2001, the project had an estimated cost of only Rs 7 billion at the time. However, after a delay of 25 years, the revised cost has risen dramatically to Rs 52,730 crore.
All land needed for the project has now been formally acquired and affected residents have left the area. The Frontier Works Organization (FWO) is advancing rapidly with construction work.
Rawalpindi Divisional Commissioner Aamir Rafiq, during a visit to the site, said that there is also potential for generation of electricity from the dam. He ordered that a study be carried out immediately in this regard and a corresponding report be presented. According to sources, an allocation of Rs 20 crore is expected to be released soon for this purpose.
He further tasked the Director General of WASA to prepare a study and PC-I within the current financial year for laying a 25 kilometer water supply pipeline from the dam to Rawalpindi city.
Once the study is completed, Section 4 will be imposed and the land will be promptly acquired, while the experts will determine the pipeline route.
The project will also include the construction of elevated water tanks and a large-scale water filtration plant, for which additional land will be acquired.
The Commissioner announced that once the dam is completed, the surrounding settlements will also be provided with a water supply system and instructions have been given to prepare a comprehensive plan in this regard.
It has also been decided to develop the dam as a major recreational and picnic destination for the district, in order to reduce the burden on urban parks and attract visitors from the surrounding areas. Facilities like boating and motorbike riding will be available at Daducha Dam.
Additionally, the site will be developed as a habitat for migratory birds that arrive from Siberia during the harsh winter season.
