The construction of the Dadocha dam will soon be initiated by the Frontier Works Organization (FWO). The designated site is situated near Dadocha village in Rawalpindi and construction teams have already been prepared and equipped with machinery to be sent to the execution site.
Dadocha dam is expected to generate 35 million gallons of water supply for Rawalpindi residents as well as to those residing in the surrounding areas once constructed. The dam is anticipated to be completed in two and a half years.
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The dam would have the capacity to contain a total of 60,000 acre-feet water, 15,000 acre-feet will be its dead level storage capacity, and it will have 45,000 acre-feet of live storage capacity. The water inflow to the dam is estimated at 77,000 cusecs while the outflow at 42,000 cusecs. The total cost of construction of the dam is anticipated to be Rs6 billion.
FWO is undertaking construction works on Dadocha Dam #Rawalpindi.
Combined teams of #FWO and #Punjab Irrigation Department have started Joint survey, Rock classification and setting out works. #FWO #development #construction #dadochadam #punjabirrigationdepartment #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/di3ltbcsGG
— Developing Pakistan (@developingpak) December 28, 2020
The Frontier Works Organisation won the contract for the Dadocha dam in October of this year. The district administration was requested by the provincial government to initiated the construction work to improve the water situation in the garrison city, commission retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn.
He further stated that Rs. 6.429 billion worth of land had already been obtained and Rs. 1.5 billion have been released by the provincial government regarding this.
It will be constructed in the opposite direction of the Soan river and all the rainwater from Kahuta hills and Murree will accumulate in the lake in Dadocha village.
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A treatment plant will be constructed along with the dam’s mainline by the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa). It would help provide safe drinking water from Dadocha dam to the residents of Rawalpindi city.
FWO is determined to keep up its rich traditions in Nation Building Works across the country pic.twitter.com/lbsZmDNu0a
— Developing Pakistan (@developingpak) December 28, 2020
Rawalpindi is in dire need of more water supply as its groundwater level has reduced significantly. The construction of dams like Dadocha would help cater to the city’s water requirements. Besides that, the dam can open an array of opportunities for tourism in Rawalpindi and Islamabad as well as enhance the area’s green cover and ecology.
The construction of the dam along with its benefits also has some cons as its land covers seven villages in Rawalpindi and three villages in Kahuta. Around 218 houses, seven commercial and industrial units are expected to be negatively affected by the Dadocha dam project.
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