CDA says the Shahdara Dam feasibility is complete and design is close to final, with PC-I approval and tendering next as Islamabad plans new daily water storage capacity.
Why CDA is fast-tracking the Shahdara Dam project
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) says it is moving quickly on the proposed Shahdara Dam to address water shortages in Islamabad. Officials indicate the project is being prioritized so work can begin early, reflecting growing pressure on the capital’s water supply due to rising demand and limited storage options.
In Islamabad, water shortages are not only a summer issue. Population growth, new housing development, and higher daily consumption increase pressure on existing supply networks. When storage and supply do not expand at the same pace, shortages become more frequent and harder to manage. That is why a new dam project is being positioned as a long-term solution, rather than a temporary fix.
CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa reviewed progress during a meeting on water issues. Such reviews usually signal that the authority wants tighter timelines and clearer decision-making before the project enters approval and tendering stages.
What’s completed so far: feasibility done, design almost final
According to a CDA spokesperson, the feasibility study for the Shahdara Dam has been completed and the design phase is nearing completion. Feasibility is the stage where planners assess whether the project is workable—looking at site suitability, expected storage and supply outcomes, basic costs, environmental impact considerations, and engineering requirements.
When a feasibility study is complete, the next critical step is final design. Design completion typically means the authority can move toward formal approvals, costing, and procurement planning. For major public works, a near-final design usually includes layout, structural planning, spillway and safety features, and integration plans with the wider supply system.
Officials say the dam will be constructed in the Shahdara area. The aim is to create new local storage that can support Islamabad’s daily water needs and reduce pressure during high-demand periods.
Proposed capacity, land acquisition, and what the numbers mean
Officials say the Shahdara Dam will have the capacity to store 10 million gallons of water per day for Islamabad. For residents, the key idea is additional daily storage and supply support that can reduce rationing pressure—especially when demand spikes or distribution challenges occur.
The project also involves land acquisition. Officials said more than 30 acres of land will be acquired for the Shahdara Dam. Land acquisition is often one of the most sensitive parts of infrastructure delivery because timelines can slip if compensation, ownership verification, or legal clearances take time. Getting this step right is important for both fairness and project speed.
If the project moves smoothly, the combination of confirmed design, secured land, and a clear procurement plan is what usually determines whether construction starts on schedule or gets delayed.
What happens next: PC-I, DWP approval, and tendering
CDA officials say once the design is finalized, the PC-I will be presented to CDA’s Development Working Party (DWP) for approval. In Pakistan’s public sector planning system, PC-I is the formal project document that outlines scope, cost, timelines, and implementation planning.
DWP approval is important because it is the gate that allows the project to move into procurement. After approval, the tendering process can begin, where contractors bid for the work under defined technical and financial criteria.
For citizens, the practical timeline marker is this: design completion and PC-I approval are the last major internal steps before tenders. Once tenders are issued, the project becomes visible in a more concrete way—through procurement documents, contractor selection, and eventual on-ground mobilization.
Dotara Dam review: a bigger capacity plan linked to Khanpur
The same meeting also reviewed the proposed Dotara Dam, planned upstream of Khanpur Dam. Officials say Dotara is expected to have a capacity of 72 million gallons per day for Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which is far larger than Shahdara’s stated daily capacity.
The feasibility study for Dotara is currently underway and is expected to be completed by May 2026. That means Dotara is at an earlier stage than Shahdara. If feasibility concludes positively, Dotara would still need design work, PC-I preparation, approvals, and procurement before construction could start.
Together, the two projects show a multi-track plan: Shahdara appears closer to execution, while Dotara is being studied as a larger upstream option to support both cities. The real test will be execution speed—finalizing designs, completing approvals, handling land issues, and moving into tendering without long delays.
