Dadhocha Dam Among Top 4 Water Sector Projects Receive ECNEC Approval

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar this month, approved four water sector projects.
Among these is the Government of Punjab’s project, “Construction of Dadhocha Dam (revised).”
According to a press release from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, “The project aims to address water deficiencies in Rawalpindi by supplying 35 MGDs of water.”
Dadhocha Dam will be located near Dadhocha village in Rawalpindi. The dam will have a storage capacity of 60,000 acre-feet, with a dead level of 15,000 acre-feet. It is considered crucial for meeting the water needs of Rawalpindi and its surrounding areas.
Initially proposed in 2001 with an estimated cost of Rs. 7 billion, construction of the dam was awarded to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) in 2020.
In August 2015, a report was submitted to the Supreme Court by the Punjab Irrigation Department, assuring that the dam would be built at its original site, which is included in the master plan of DHA Valley, Islamabad.
On January 27, 2016, the Rawalpindi district administration instructed the Punjab Irrigation Department to resume construction of the stalled Dadhocha Dam to resolve issues with Defence, Islamabad-Rawalpindi.
In January 2021, individuals affected by the dam project held a public gathering and peaceful march to express concerns about displacement without proper rehabilitation. They demanded increased compensation rates for their lands and the development of a resettlement plan.
Additionally, the ECNEC approved the Upgradation of Pakistan Railways’ existing Main Line-1 (ML-1) and directed that Phase I of the project, covering 929 km from Karachi to Multan, be prioritized.
The ECNEC also approved the “Flood Response Emergency Housing Project (Phase-I),” to be funded through an Asian Development Bank loan. This project aims to support over 250,000 flood-affected people in Sindh by reconstructing flood-resilient houses through community-led efforts.
Other water sector projects approved include the Gomal Zam Multipurpose Project, the Raising of Mangla Dam Project, and the Golen Gol Hydropower Project, all of which are now progressing towards completion.
Furthermore, the forum approved the “Development of Integrated Transit Trade Management System,” envisioning the construction of state-of-the-art border crossing points at Torkham, Chaman, and Wahga, establishment of the Land Port Authority, and digital end-to-end tracking of containerized cargo.
ECNEC also extended the implementation period of the “Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project (KNIP)” by six months to December 31, 2024. This project aims to enhance the accessibility, usability, and attractiveness of public spaces such as roads, streets, parks, open spaces, and public buildings in selected neighborhoods of Karachi.
Lastly, ECNEC approved the Construction of a Border Terminal at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border in Badini and the upgrade of a 40-km road from Murgha Faqirzai to Khan Dagar on the Main Badini Road in district Saifullah.