Islamabad – The government has given the green light to build two new dams — Dotara and Shahdara — to tackle the ongoing water shortages affecting residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Officials aim to finish both projects by December 2027 as part of an emergency plan to improve water availability in the twin cities.
Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi chaired a high-level meeting on January 10, 2026, where the decisions were finalized. The session included the prime minister’s adviser, CDA Chairman, senior officials from WAPDA, and representatives from the Punjab government.
Details of the Projects
The larger project, Dotara Dam, will be constructed upstream of the existing Khanpur Dam on the Haro River. According to initial assessments presented by WAPDA, the dam is expected to deliver 72 million gallons of water per day to the twin cities. Preliminary estimates put the cost at around Rs40 billion (not including land acquisition). The dam will stand approximately 122 meters high and 350 meters long, with gravity-fed supply making it cost-effective for Islamabad.
WAPDA has been directed to prepare a complete detailed feasibility report within the next two months, after which construction must start right away to stay on track for the 2027 deadline.
The second project, Shahdara Dam, is planned on the Shahdara stream in the Margalla Hills. It will add 10 million gallons per day to the supply system, at an estimated cost of Rs4 billion. This smaller dam will help supplement existing sources in the region.
Funding and Additional Steps
Both dams will be funded jointly by the federal and Punjab governments. Alongside the new construction, authorities have instructed the CDA to speed up repairs on leaking pipelines and replace outdated, rusted ones to cut down on water losses in the current distribution network.
These steps come amid growing pressure on water resources due to population increase, urban expansion, climate impacts, and aging infrastructure. Currently, the twin cities face a major gap between demand and supply, relying mainly on Khanpur Dam, Simly Dam, and tube wells.
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Expected Benefits
Once completed, the dams should bring more reliable water to households and support future growth in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Minister Naqvi has stressed that ensuring steady water supply remains a top priority, with short-term fixes also being pursued to ease immediate shortages.
