The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved 17 projects costing Rs 20.32 billion, referred six projects worth Rs 71.35billion and two position papers valuing at Rs 178 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council and gave concept clearance of three projects worth Rs 60.38 billion.
The meeting, chaired by Minister Planning, Development and Reform Professor Ahsan Iqbal, was attended by senior officials of the provinces and ministries concerned. 27 projects of the agriculture and food, Higher Education Commission, energy, health, IT, physical planning and housing, transport and communication and water sectors were considered. For all the approved projects, including position papers and concept clearance, the FEC portion is Rs 176.23 billion, whereas allocations in the Public Sector Development Programme 2015-16 have been made to the tune of Rs 4.13 billion.
Six projects of the energy sector were approved, which included: evacuation of power from 300MW solar plants near Chishtian worth Rs 923.7 million, strengthening of TSG Training Centre for grid system operations and maintenance of Rs 941.51 million, 132KV upgradation of Pattan grid station of Rs 171.90 million and establishment of new 132KV grid station at Besham to cost Rs 300 million. Four projects of the HEC were: strengthening of the National Textile University Faisalabad worth Rs 1,458.107 million, Afghanistan Scholarship Programme (ASP) at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) of Rs 306 million, Certification Incentive Programme for SMEs of Rs 700 million and establishment of the FATA University to cost Rs 1,489.44 million. One project each for the health and transport and communication sector included extension of Institute of Nuclear Oncology and Radiotherapy (INOR) Abbotabad worth Rs 566.166 million and technical assistance for Karachi Bus Rapid Transit Project (Red Line Design under PDA) of Rs 1,295.99 million respectively were approved as well.
Four projects of the physical planning and housing included: upgradation of GPA Housing Complex at Gwadar of Rs 676.23 million, construction of Model Prison at H-16 Islamabad of Rs 4.530.46 million, upgrading of mechanical system for sewerage and drainage services in Gujranwala (JICA grant) (Revised PC-I) of Rs 1,155.72 million and construction of accommodation for Bhittai Rangers at Karachi worth Rs 2,870.49 million.
Two approved projects of the water sector were: providing stone apron and pitching along Sukkar Begari Bund mile 0 to 2 (vulnerable point Sukkar city) of Rs 127.08 million and construction of Marobi Dam district Nowshera worth Rs 1,942.09 million. Six projects, referred to the ECNEC for approval were: Punjab Economic Opportunities Programme (2ndrevised) of the agriculture and food sector worth Rs 8,783.97 million, evacuation of power from 1,320MW imported coal-based power plant at Hub of the energy sector to cost Rs 8,783.97 million, faculty development programme for Pakistani universities of the HEC worth Rs 7,081.99 million, Safe City Islamabad (Revised) of the information technology sector to cost Rs 15,865 million, improvement, widening and construction of Kohlu-Sibi Road project (total length 174.14 kilometres) of the transport and communication sector worth Rs 6,846 million and water carrier from Nabisar reservoir to Thar coal field block-II will cost Rs 16,370.28 million.
Two position papers of the energy sector were of the same nature at two different locations were: design, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of 1,000-1,200MW (gross) Re-Gasified-Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) based combined cycle power at Balloki district Kasur, and Haveli Bahadur Shah district Jhang will cost Rs 88,054.09 million and Rs 90,031.69 million respectively. The FEC portion for each of these is Rs 76,254.85 million. The concept clearance were accorded to the Punjab Cultural Heritage and Economic Growth Project worth Rs 5,885 million, generating data to advance women's social and economic well-being in Pakistan of Rs 618.41 million and establishment of 50,000 non-formal schools will cost Rs 53,880.46 million.--PR