To keep Gwadar water supply system smooth and steady, Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) has rolled out a new drinkable water mechanism. Under the new initiative, a meeting of the water committee launched a crackdown on illegal water connections in Gwadar, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro on Tuesday. The meeting was held on February 23 under the chairmanship of the Director General Gwadar Development Authority, Mr. Moeen ur Rehman Khan.

Attended by Chief Engineer GDA Haji Syed Muhammad, Project Director Water Meer Jan Baloch, Executive Engineer Distribution Muhammad Akbar, Secretary Water Committee Babar Khan, and Assistant Engineer Qambar Baloch, a detailed review of the overall water supply situation in Gwadar city was conducted, with special focus on issues related to Pasni. It was clarified in the meeting that the GDA’s main pipeline laid from Shadi Kor Dam to Gwadar was primarily designed to supply water to Gwadar city, and its capacity is aligned solely with Gwadar’s requirements.

The meeting also reviewed technical issues affecting the water distribution system in various parts of the city, and it was decided to lay new pipelines where required. The Executive Engineer Distribution was instructed to immediately ensure the installation of new lines at necessary locations and to further strengthen and expedite unrestricted legal action against illegal connections and water theft on main pipelines. The issuance of new water connections and the implementation of a formal billing system were also reviewed.

It was informed that the installation of new connections is underway and comprehensive consumer data is being compiled so that the billing system can be activated at the earliest.  It was further decided that water supply across the city will be provided through GDA’s newly laid pipelines and constructed water storage tanks, as PHE’s old water infrastructure has become obsolete and non-functional, which increases the risk of water losses.

The meeting further clarified that the responsibility for water supply to Pasni city lies with the Public Health Engineering Department (PHE). PHE does not have a fully separate pipeline from the dam to Pasni, and approximately 18 kilometers of the pipeline are still pending. As a result, PHE relies on the Irrigation Department’s water channel and the GDA pipeline. However, despite its limited capacity and with Gwadar’s needs in view, GDA has continued to supply water to Pasni as supplies permit.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China