Rs 62 billion Sindh Drainage Project: Re-mobilization of FWO main impediment to progress, Senate body told

Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Reform was informed that main hitch in progress of Rs 62 billion Mega Drainage Project in Sindh was re-mobilization of Frontier Works Organization (FWO) as it had stopped work on the project due to scarcity of funds in 2010.

The committee met with Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani in the chair at Parliament House on Monday. The committee discussed the Mega Drainage Project {Extension of Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD-II)}, recommendations, and King Suleiman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Hospital Tarlai, Islamabad.

While ddeliberating over the RBOB-II Mega Drainage Project from Sehwan to sea, the committee was informed that the main hitch in its progress was re-mobilization of FWO as it had stopped work on the project due to scarcity of funds in 2010. The Committee was assured that all payments will be made on time and that all stakeholders are on board regarding this issue. In addition to this, it was revealed that court cases on land acquisition are another major impediment in progress of this project and these must be resolved at the earliest.

The committee stressed the need for Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) to be consulted on the various projects undertaken by the ministry. As recommended earlier that the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform must work in unison with PEC regarding causes of delay in execution of projects, the committee said. It was emphasized that expert advice on projects will save the government revenue and time.

While discussing compliance on various recommendations, it was revealed that the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform undertakes field and desk monitoring with the ministries/ divisions to address impeding issues in implementation. The fund release mechanism has been streamlined in consultation with Finance Division to ensure timely availability of funds to the project authorities. In addition the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform undertakes monthly and quarterly review of PSDP as per directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

The committee was also informed that PC/MPDR is already working for streamlining the approval process of development projects. Moreover, automation of PC-I and approval process are at final stage under which tracking and monitoring of projects will be performed under e-office and progress will be placed on official website as well.

Discussing increase in toll tax, the committee was informed that NHA does not increase toll tax on a monthly basis and the process takes place approximately after four years.

Reviewing the committee's decision to bring important amendments in the Land Acquisition Act, the committee was informed that DC PC in the meeting of CDWP held on 18 November, 2019 has been directed to devise a mechanism to counter land procurement issues and a meeting will be arranged with concerned officials and special areas.

The meeting was attended by Senator Engr Rukhsana Zuberi, Senator Hidayatullah, Senator Gianchand and senior officers from the Ministry of Planning Development and Reform along with all concerned. Representatives of the Sindh Irrigation Department and National Highway Authority (NHA) attended the meeting as well.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019