Desilting project at Wazirabad barrage remains stalled

Announced more than a year ago, the desilting project at the Wazirabad barrage remains stalled even as the city braces for acute water shortage during peak summer. As intense summer set in, the city’s water supply has been hit as raw water level has reached a critical low, sources said on Tuesday, adding that the situation is likely to remain the same for the next few days. Last year, a tender was floated inviting companies for the pondage area works, however there were some issues and it was cancelled.

The pondage area refers to a reservoir or pond where raw water is temporarily stored before entering a water treatment plant (WTP). These areas are critical for managing flow rates, settling heavy silt, and ensuring a continuous supply of water.