The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has ordered the immediate shutdown of 15 tubewells operated by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi along the Islamabad Expressway, citing concerns over the rapid depletion of groundwater reserves. According to officials, the CDA has also withdrawn the no-objection certificate (NOC) it had issued to WASA in 2022 for the installation and operation of the tubewells.
Ban on Water Pumping
The civic authority said water pumping from the Faizabad area to the Koral Interchange had been banned, and all WASA tubewells located adjacent to the Expressway had been taken offline with immediate effect.
Alarming Drop in Water Table
In a statement, the CDA said continuous extraction of groundwater through the tubewells had caused a significant decline in the area's water table. “The underground water level has dropped to an alarming extent due to uninterrupted pumping, affecting private boreholes used by residents,” the authority said.
The CDA said it took notice of the issue following complaints from residents who reported difficulties in accessing groundwater through their personal water bores. The authority has formally directed WASA Rawalpindi to cease operations of all affected tubewells and has conveyed its decision to the agency in writing.
