The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a substantial $180 million loan earmarked for the enhancement of water supply and solid waste management systems in two burgeoning cities within Punjab province, Pakistan.
Expected to directly impact the lives of up to 1.5 million residents, the ‘Developing Resilient Environments and Advancing Municipal Services in Punjab Project’ aims to curtail the strain on groundwater resources and mitigate urban environment degradation. The initiative focuses on expanding and modernizing water supply services in Rawalpindi and bolstering solid waste management systems in Bahawalpur, according to an official statement released by the bank.
ADB’s Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov, expressed optimism about the project’s potential, stating, “This project will help make municipal services in these two cities more sustainable, resilient, and less carbon-intensive. By delivering reliable water supply and improving waste management, we expect to significantly enhance the lives of people in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur.”
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The proposed improvements in Rawalpindi include the construction of new surface water intakes and a water treatment plant capable of processing 54 million liters per day. Moreover, transmission and distribution pipelines will be laid to serve 82,000 households with metered connections. The financing will also facilitate the upgrade of water pumps and transmission mains, enhancing operational efficiency through the establishment of three pilot district metering areas.
In Bahawalpur, the project prioritizes enhancing solid waste collection services. It includes procuring advanced waste collection equipment and expanding service coverage through a new fleet, supported by an innovative fleet management information system. The initiative plans to build a recycling facility and a floodproof landfill, alongside the rehabilitation of existing dump sites. Additionally, the project aims to provide personal protective equipment for informal sector workers.
ADB’s Urban Development Specialist, Xijie Lu, emphasized the broader impact of the project, stating, “Aside from improving infrastructure services, ADB’s project will help enhance the operational efficiency, inclusivity, and financial sustainability of Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency and Bahawalpur Waste Management Company. We also aimed to be innovative, with some of the project’s components featuring renewable technologies, cost-recovery interventions, and behavioral change and communication elements.”
To reinforce these efforts, ADB will oversee a $1 million technical assistance program funded by the Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund. This aid will bolster the capacity of the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency to address leakages within the city’s water supply network.
With a commitment to fostering prosperity, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region, ADB, established in 1966 and currently comprising 68 member countries, remains dedicated to eradicating extreme poverty while driving forward its initiatives.
