The Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) has restored water supply from Shadi Kaur Dam to the city after a gap of nearly three and a half years, adding two million gallons per day (MGD) to the system. The move followed directives from Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.
According to GDA Director General Moin-ur-Rehman Khan, the 83-kilometre transmission line was reactivated through continuous efforts of the authority’s water division. Senior engineers inspected the restored flow to ensure stability and supply.
Gwadar has faced a severe water crisis due to prolonged drought, with no rainfall for over 18 months. The Ankara Dam dried up months ago, while the Sawad Dam is close to depletion. Khan noted that one of the city’s main sources has already run dry, leaving residents heavily dependent on alternative projects.
To diversify the water supply, work is underway on a 1.2 MGD desalination plant and a 0.5 MGD sensor boring initiative. These projects complement the 1.2 MGD China-assisted desalination facility at the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), a flagship component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is being pushed toward full operational capacity.
Gwadar’s daily requirement stands at 3.5 MGD. With the reactivation of Shadi Kaur and the upcoming integration of an additional 1.5 MGD, officials are confident that the shortfall will be significantly reduced, paving the way for a stable supply across the city.
The GDA has also taken control of the city’s water distribution network and accelerated the installation of new household connections, urging residents to apply promptly. Authorities believe that the combined efforts will soon meet Gwadar’s full demand, offering long-awaited relief to its population.
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