Gwadar Water Project Making Smooth Progress : Chinese Embassy

Gwadar: Gwadar Seawater Desalination Project, supported by China with a capacity of 5000 tons of household water per day, is under smooth construction by joint efforts of both Chinese & local workers. The 1.2 MGD project will provide clean water to local people in Gwadar and improve their lives upon completion, officials of the Chinese Embassy tweeted on Friday.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Development, the primary objective of the project is to address the prevailing shortage of portable and drinking water in Gwadar city. According to the estimates the existing demand of water is 7 MGD, which is forecasted at 16.5 MGD in 2025. The existing resources, if made fully functional, can meet the water demand of 17.7 MGD in the short run.

Thus, mapping the rising water demand, PC 1 was finalized for the construction of a 1.2 MGD Water Desalination Plant. On 5 July 2021, the government approved the 1.2 MGD Water Desalination Plant for Gwadar.

Briefing the  local media about the 1.2 MGD Water Desalination Plan, Dawood Baloch, Project Director of Gwadar Port Authority(GPA),said that the plant, spreading over approximately one acre, is being constructed with a Chinese grant of Rs. 2 billion. It is another gift from China to Gwadar, he added. “As per PC 1, the plant is supposed to complete in 12 months but hopefully China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) will finish the task in 6 months. If it happens, it’ll be another project after Pak-China Technical & Vocational Institute that is completed ahead of the deadline,” he noted.

Observers say the project is of critical importance for Gwadar Port free zone and city but faced a lot  of delays and mismanagement from authorities.

By Muhammad Arif: vow2025@gmail.com