Rs 10 million allocation: for Thar coalfield airstrip considered insufficient

The allocation of Rs 10 million in the Annual Development Program (ADP) for Thar coalfield airstrip for fiscal year 2009-10 is considered insufficient by official sources here. The development of airstrip, on which the work is likely to be started shortly, is a part of providing basic infrastructure at Thar coal to facilitate foreign investors, experts and other technical staff.
Initially, the airstrip would also facilitate travel between Karachi and Tharparkar district, they said. The said project was approved in December 2008 at a cost of Rs 972 million. It would be completed by June, 2011. The provincial Mines and Minerals Department would provide funds for it, they said.
Sources said that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) would execute the construction work of the airstrip, besides its operation and maintenance. Engineering Consultants International (Pvt) Ltd carried out the feasibility study and submitted it to the Mines and Minerals Department recently, they said.
Pakistan International Airline (PIA) would operate the small passenger aircraft ATR-42 and there would be only one flight in a week. The explorers, investors and their engineers would charter small general aviation aircraft from Karachi and initially the airstrip would be used for chartered general aviation aircraft flights only, they added.
They said that the Sindh Coal Authority would charter aircraft to assist potential investors to visit mining areas so that foreign investment could be attracted for Thar coalfields. There would also be some military use of the airstrip, while some affluent people of Tharparkar would use the air service for their personal purpose. Islamkot airstrip would have the same volume and type of air traffic as in the past has been at Sui airport, which was a project of similar nature sponsored by Pakistan Petroleum Limited, sources said. Further, common people would also use the airstrip by chartering aircraft from Karachi or other domestic airport.
The break-up of Rs 972 million is as follows: Rs 607.60 million for constructing runaway; Rs 47.36 million for link taxiway, culverts and drains; Rs 58.01 million for ancillary works; Rs 33.60 million for electrical works; Rs 85.63 million, terminal building; Rs 86.98 million, control tower; Rs 4.15 million, general items; Rs 18.98 million, consultancy fee; Rs 10.9 million and Rs 18.85 million for the price contingencies.