The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) Tuesday approved as many as 24 development projects valued at Rs 53.6 billion and recommended three mega projects at a cost of Rs 27.1 billion for further approval to Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC). The CDWP met with Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz in the chair here at Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform. Senior officials from Planning Commission, federal ministries, government functionaries and representatives of the provincial governments also attended the meeting.
The meeting approved the development projects of transport & communication, energy, water resources, information technology, physical planning & housing, environment and health sectors. In energy sector, the CDWP meeting approved three projects at a cost of Rs 18.8 billion out of which one project valued at Rs 12.8 billion was referred to the ECNEC for further approval. The CDWP validated the project of 220 KV Punjab University Grid Station along with associated transmission lines at the cost of Rs 2948.11 million. The objective of the project is to improve the reliability of NTDC network and provide relief to the 132KV grid station in the LESCO.
The project would lead to improve voltage profile, system reliability of network and a reduction in the loading of power transformers in the area. A 220KV Zero Point Grid Station at Islamabad at the cost of Rs 2541.98 million was approved by the CDWP. The objective of the project is to meet the additional load demand of IESCO area and provide relief to existing 132 KV grid station in the IESCO area and provide a second source of supply to existing 220 KV Islamabad university Grid station for sustainable operations.
In transport and communication sector, the CDWP approved four projects worth Rs 14.9 billion out of which one project worth Rs 10.5 billion was referred to the ECNEC. In physical planning & housing sector, the CDWP approved seven projects at an estimated cost of Rs 5.9 billion. The CDWP further approved four projects in science and technology sector worth 5.6 billion. The CDWP approved another project in health sector worth Rs 2.9 billion. The project is aimed at up-gradation of Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (NORI). The CDWP also approved a project in information technology sector worth Rs 220.012 million. The scope of the project includes feasibility and system definition study of Pakistan multi-mission satellite.
Two projects at the cost of Rs 1.1 billion were approved in water resources by the CDWP. These projects include construction of small dams, storage dams, delay action dams and retention wires and ISSO barriers in Sindh at cost of Rs 886.699 million. The project is related to the issue of water scarcity, need for additional reservoirs and mining of ground water. The main objectives are to conserve rain flood water, recharge aquifer to raise the sub soil water level and supplement the existing Barani irrigation system. The scheme will also provide recreational and employment facilities to the local people. Whereas the other project is aimed at construction of Abato, Daisara and Sanzala Dams at Chamman Kila Abdullah worth Rs 300 million. The project would be completed in 18 months from the date of approval. In environment sector, scaling up of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Reduction in northern Pakistan at cost of Rs 3.8 billion was referred to the ECNEC for further approval.