Capital Development Authority (CDA) is preparing to build Shahdara Dam to improve Islamabad’s water supply. The project aims to provide an additional source of water as demand continues to grow across the federal capital.
CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf said the authority was working on new infrastructure to address Islamabad’s water shortages. He described the proposed dam as an important step towards improving the city’s water supply system.
According to the authority, the project could become Islamabad’s first major water development initiative in nearly three decades. The CDA has issued a construction tender as it moves forward with the procurement process.
The proposed dam will be located near the Shahdara picnic area in the Islamabad region. Once operational, it is expected to supply surface water to support the capital’s existing water resources.
The CDA aims to complete construction within 20 months. This target is five months shorter than the period outlined in the initial planning document. However, the timeline will depend on procurement, construction progress, and other required procedures.
According to a CDA press release, Shahdara Dam could supply between 5 and 10 million gallons of water daily. The final capacity will depend on the approved design, technical assessments, and operational arrangements.
The additional supply could help reduce pressure on Islamabad’s existing water distribution network. However, the actual contribution will depend on water availability and the system used to distribute it across the city.
Alongside Shahdara Dam, the CDA is planning four check dams near the foothills of the Margalla Hills. These projects are proposed for areas near D-12, Shah Allah Ditta, and Saidpur.
Check dams can help slow surface runoff and support local water conservation. They may also help manage rainwater flowing from nearby hills. However, the authority has not yet issued construction tenders for these proposed structures.
The CDA is also planning to install 100 groundwater recharge wells across Islamabad. These wells are intended to replenish underground water reserves and strengthen the capital’s long-term water management efforts.
Groundwater recharge can help restore underground supplies when suitable water enters aquifers. The effectiveness of the proposed wells will depend on their locations, local geological conditions, and implementation.
The authority has identified two additional dam projects as part of its wider water development strategy. Chinot Dam is planned for the catchment area of Simly Dam, while Dotara Dam is proposed for the catchment area of Khanpur Dam.
These projects are intended to increase available water resources and improve supply reliability. However, the provided details do not confirm their construction schedules or final capacities.
Islamabad relies on reservoirs and groundwater to meet its water requirements. Growing demand has increased the need for additional infrastructure and better management of existing resources.
The proposed Shahdara Dam could provide a valuable new surface-water source once construction is completed. Its expected capacity of 5 to 10 million gallons per day could contribute to the city’s overall supply.
However, the dam alone may not resolve Islamabad’s water shortages. Its long-term impact will depend on rainfall, available water reserves, treatment facilities, and distribution arrangements.
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For now, the CDA is moving through the tender process for Shahdara Dam and targeting completion within 20 months. The planned check dams, recharge wells, and additional reservoirs form part of its broader strategy to improve water availability across Islamabad.
