The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Saturday approved 43 development projects, costing Rs 75.4 billion including foreign component/assistance of Rs 22.4 billion. The meeting, held in the Planning Commission with Secretary Planning and Development Division Suhail Safdar in the chair, was also attended by Parliamentary Secretary, Planning and Development Division, Mian Abdul Sattar and representative of the federal and provincial governments.
Out of the total 43 projects, cost of 24 projects in different sectors is over Rs 500 million each and their total cost is Rs 70.7 billion, which would be placed before Ecnec for final approval. Out of the total 43 projects, six projects pertaining to transport and communication cost Rs 9.8 billion with FEC Rs 2.568 billion. Sixteen energy projects worth Rs 26.990 billion including FEC of Rs 6.321 billion. Four projects in water resources Rs 11.162 billion.
Nine projects for physical planning and housing Rs 8.751 billion including FEC Rs 0.751 billion. Two projects for social sector worth Rs 0.947 billion including FEC Rs 0.212 billion. Two projects for health sector Rs 4.086 billion including FEC Rs 1.545 billion.
One project each for social welfare, mass media and good governance worth Rs 0.947 including Rs 0.212 FEC, Rs 0.063 billion and 12.823 billion including Rs 1.09 billion FEC, respectively. Besides, two projects for HEC costing Rs 0.947 billion, and two each projects for health sector and industries and commerce costing Rs 4.086 billion including Rs 1.545 billion and Rs 0.382 billion including Rs 0.104 billion, respectively.
Out of the two projects in Balochistan, one project titled ''Construction of Black Top Road from Sui to Uch field'' costing Rs 797 million has been approved to provide faster link in the Dera Bugti Area. Four projects of water sector located in Sindh and NWFP costing Rs 11.2 billion were also approved by the CDWP.
Besides, 15 projects in energy sector costing Rs 27 billion have been recommended to Ecnec and most of these projects will be financed by Wapda from its own resources. Allocation of Rs 3.1 billion is there in the PSDP 2008-09 against some of these projects. The CDWP also conceptually cleared one project titled ''Karachi Harbour Crossing".
The CDWP also cleared the project of the Security Printing Press Karachi which will be financed by the corporation from its own resources. Nine Women Centers to be established in earthquake affected areas of AJK and NWFP, worth Rs 456.126 million.
Two projects costing Rs 10 billion for lining of distributaries in Sindh and irrigation channel in NWPF have been approved. Similarly, concept clearance to negotiate aid for infrastructure development in Northern Areas was also approved. The CDWP also approved the project of the security fencing (RCC) wall around Temporary Official Residence of the President at Naudero was considered, costing Rs 110.743 million.
It was decided that the project sponsored by Ministry of Housing and Works and prepared in consultation with Nespak, the Ministry will obtain approval of the security agencies regarding specification and other requirements while complying with the Codal and Legal formalities.
The CDWP also approved the project to renovate President House by spending Rs 82.700 million, which was conceived in 2005 and approved in 2006 in the tenure of previous government with a view to bringing in conformity with the revised building code envisaging seismic protection. The project has been completed and therefore placed before CDWP for ex-post facto approval. The CDWP also recommended construction of New Secretariat Block at Constitution Avenue by worth Rs 3.476 million.