Punjab government has planned a major Water Project worth Rs. 31 billion for Lahore. The initiative aims to reduce the city’s growing dependence on underground water resources.
Under the plan, water from the BRB Canal will be treated and supplied for drinking purposes. The project is expected to support efforts to protect Lahore’s declining groundwater reserves.
New Water Treatment Plant Planned in Lahore
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, a Surface Water Treatment Plant will be established near Bhaini Road. The facility will initially have the capacity to treat 54 million gallons of water daily.
Authorities plan to expand the plant’s capacity significantly in the future. Its eventual treatment capacity is expected to reach 540 million gallons per day.
The Water Project will use canal water as an alternative source for Lahore’s drinking water requirements. This approach could gradually reduce the amount of groundwater extracted through tube wells.
Lahore Currently Relies Heavily on Groundwater
Lahore currently depends heavily on underground water to meet its daily requirements. The Water and Sanitation Agency Lahore operates 594 deep tube wells across the city.
These tube wells collectively provide around 329 million gallons of groundwater every day. Continued extraction has raised concerns about Lahore’s declining underground water reserves.
The new project aims to gradually replace part of this supply with treated surface water. However, the transition will depend on the project’s implementation and future expansion.
Project Awaits Final Approval
The Central Development Working Party has already approved the project’s PC-I. The proposal will now be submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.
ECNEC’s approval will be required before construction work can formally begin. Once final approval is secured, authorities can move forward with the project’s implementation.
AIIB to Provide Financial Assistance
The Water Project will also receive financial support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The financing forms part of AIIB’s $235 million package for Lahore’s water and wastewater management.
The broader programme is intended to improve the city’s water infrastructure and strengthen wastewater management. The Rs. 31 billion initiative represents a significant shift toward using surface water for Lahore’s drinking supply.
If completed as planned, the facility could help reduce pressure on the city’s groundwater resources. The initial 54 MGD capacity would mark the first stage of the planned system.
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Authorities eventually intend to expand capacity to 540 MGD as Lahore’s water requirements continue to grow.
