ISLAMABAD: The 17th meeting of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) on Thursday discussed the issue of water shortage in the capital.
The meeting, held at the Pak-China Friendship Centre, was presided over by MCI Deputy Mayor Chaudhry Riffat Javed. The meeting discussed the agenda in detail about the Business Rules of MCI, water supply situation and performance of the Environment Wing. The meeting also approved the action taken during the last meeting of the MCI.
Chief MCI Officer Asad Mehboob Kiyani informed the meeting that Rules of Business had already been approved. “They are currently being printed. The printed copies of the Rules of Business will be provided to the members in the house,” he said. He also informed the house about these Rules of Business in detail. The meeting was informed about the current water supply situation facing the residents of Islamabad, including the quantity of daily water supplied to the residents through pipeline and water tankers.
The meeting was further informed that funds amounting to Rs 2.5 million for the repair and maintenance of water tankers had been released by the Finance Wing. However; the members of the house urged for release of Rs 10 million already approved by the Islamabad mayor for the purpose. “The residents of the capital city are facing acute shortage of water during the ongoing winter season. It is a challenge for the authorities,” they said.
The house was informed that due to a lower rainfall this year, the total supply from Simly Dam had been reduced by 10 million gallons of water. “This has been done to ensure that there is adequate amount of water in the dam till spring rains,” the members were told.
The house was also informed that due to lower rains, the underground water table had fallen farther. “Water supply from the tubewells has further dwindled,” the official said.
However, the chief officer informed the house that the government had approved the plan of supply of water from Ghazi Barotha.
He informed the house that work on initial plan and preparation of PC-I was in progress. Under the plan, 100 million gallons of water will be supplied to Islamabad on daily basis from Ghazi Barotha, which will meet the water requirements of Islamabad.
The house discussed the difficulties for provision of gas and electricity connections to the residents. The members demanded lifting of the ban placed in this regard by the Capital Development Authority. The house approved the resolution for changing the rules Zone-I and IV, powers of union councils, operation against the illegal construction activities and encroachments and provision of development funds to MCI.
Published in Daily Times, November 17th 2017.