PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Public Health Engineering, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fazal Shakoor Khan, paid a detailed visit to district Abbottabad, wherein he inspected the important mega project, the Gravity Flow Water Supply Scheme, completed with the financial assistance of Japan and the cooperation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). During the visit, the Provincial Minister was given a comprehensive briefing on various aspects of the project, including its technical features, overall capacity, water supply system, and operation and maintenance mechanism. It is said that work on the Gravity Flow Water Supply Scheme commenced in 2011 and the project was completed at a total cost of Rs. 4,270 million. Of this amount, Rs. 3,702 million was provided as a Japanese grant, while Rs. 577 million was contributed by the KP government from its own resources. The briefing further highlighted that this mega project is supplying 3.8 million gallons per day of clean, safe, and quality drinking water to approximately 235,000 residents living in the urban areas of Abbottabad city and its adjoining rural localities. The Bulk Water Supply Unit, operating under the Public Health Engineering Department, is responsible for the effective operation, routine maintenance, and continuous monitoring of this modern water supply system. The Provincial Minister was informed that the Gravity Flow Water Supply Scheme has been fully operational since 2014, and due to this project, the people of Abbottabad are receiving clean drinking water at their doorsteps.
This has significantly reduced water scarcity in the area and contributed positively to the improvement of public health indicators.
Mr Fazal Shakoor Khan appreciated the efforts of the engineers, concerned officers, and the support of JICA in the successful completion of the project. He directed that continuous monitoring, timely repair and maintenance, and strict quality control of the water supply system must be ensured to guarantee uninterrupted and sustainable provision of clean drinking water to the public.
The Provincial Minister emphasized that the provision of clean drinking water is among the top priorities of the incumbent KP government. He said that modern and sustainable water supply projects are being initiated across the province to address public needs. He added that mega projects like the Gravity Flow Water Supply Scheme not only play a vital role in promoting public health but also serve as an important milestone towards improving the quality of life and achieving sustainable development.
