The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $180 million loan to improve water supply and solid waste management services in two rapidly growing cities in Pakistan’s Punjab province.
The project will help to:
- Reduce excessive groundwater extraction and urban environment degradation
- Expand and modernize urban water supply in Rawalpindi
- Improve solid waste management systems in Bahawalpur
Key components of the project include:
- Building new surface water intakes and a water treatment plant in Rawalpindi
- Laying transmission and distribution pipes in Rawalpindi
- Upgrading water pumps and transmission mains in Rawalpindi
- Procuring waste collection equipment and a new fleet in Bahawalpur
- Constructing a facility for recycling and a floodproof landfill in Bahawalpur
- Rehabilitating the existing dump site in Bahawalpur
- Providing personal protective equipment for informal sector workers in Bahawalpur
The project is expected to significantly improve the lives of people in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur by providing them with reliable water supply and improving waste management.
In addition to improving infrastructure services, the project will also help to:
- Enhance the operational efficiency, inclusivity, and financial sustainability of the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency and Bahawalpur Waste Management Company
- Implement renewable technologies, cost-recovery interventions, and behavioral change and communication elements
The ADB is also administering a $1 million technical assistance grant to help the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency address leakages in the city’s water supply network.
This project is a valuable investment in the future of Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur. It will help to make these cities more sustainable, resilient, and livable.
