Lahore Division

The Punjab government has unveiled a large scale groundwater restoration programme for Lahore, announcing the construction of one thousand recharge wells across the metropolitan region. The initiative aims to address the city’s rapidly falling water table, which has become one of the most serious urban sustainability challenges in Punjab. According to senior officials of the Housing Department, the first pilot recharge well has been completed and is capable of injecting nearly eight thousand gallons of water per day back into the aquifer. At present, Lahore has only three functioning recharge wells. Under the new plan, the government will begin with an initial phase of fifteen newly engineered wells, designed with modern filtration and subsurface injection technology. The Punjab Housing Authority has been directed to allocate dedicated spaces within major public parks. This model integrates green infrastructure with groundwater conservation, ensuring that urban parks contribute to aquifer recharge rather than allowing rainwater to flow into drains and stormwater channels. The authority has also emphasised that existing trees and vegetation will be protected during construction. Secretary Housing Noorul Amin Mengal noted that the project is built around environmental safeguards and long term water stewardship. “Water is a blessing. Preventing its wastage is a shared duty.” He added that all relevant agencies have been instructed to complete the plan on a priority basis. In parallel, the Water and Sanitation Agency Punjab will establish additional recharge points across the province, expanding the scope of the initiative beyond Lahore and creating a more integrated groundwater restoration network. From an urban planning and policy perspective, the project signals an important shift toward sustainable water management in Punjab. Experts note that Lahore’s aquifer has been under severe stress due to urban expansion, over extraction of water, and a decline in natural recharge capacity. By capturing and reinjecting rainwater, the one thousand well programme has the potential to slow the rate of depletion and support long term water security. For major cities in Pakistan that face similar groundwater challenges, this initiative provides an important model for nature based solutions, integrated park and water systems, and climate resilient city planning.