June 28, 2024 (MLN): The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved 26 development projects worth Rs900 billion during its meeting chaired by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan.

Out of these, 17 projects worth Rs33bn have been approved by the CDWP forum, while the forum has recommended 9 projects worth Rs867bn to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for its consideration.

Two projects related to Agriculture & Food sector presented in the meeting namely “National Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Programme” worth Rs3bn and “Pakistan Model Agriculture Research Center” worth Rs4bn were approved by the forum.

A project related to Energy Sector presented in the meeting namely “Supply of gas to Localities falling within 5 km Radius of villages/localities of Gas producing Fields-SSGCL” worth Rs1.09bn was approved by the forum.

A project related to Energy sector presented in the meeting namely “500 kV Matiari –Moro-Rahim Yar khan Transmission Line” worth Rs188.56bn recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.

The Agency Responsible for Operation & Maintenance: National Transmission & Dispatch Company (NTDC).

The sources of financing are NTDC Equity: Rs31.632bn, Local Debt: Rs75.847bn, Foreign Debt: Rs80.11bn.

The main objective of the project is construction of 500 kV double circuit transmission line from Matiari to Moro and Moro to Rahim Yar Khan with allied terminal equipment at each substation to overcome the constraints in south to north power transmission.

Eight projects related to Transport & Communications presented in the meeting namely Land for Realignment of KKH from Takhot to Railkot due to Construction of Hydro Dams on the River Indus, KKH Phase-II” worth Rs4.13bn and “Gwadar Blue Economy” worth Rs1.5bn and Land Acquisition as per Gawdar Master plan 750 Acres at Gwadar Junubi” worth Rs3.92bn approved by the CDWP forum.

Another project of T&C sector presented in the meeting namely “Revised PC-1 Construction of Lahore ~ Sahiwal ~ Bahawalnagar Motorway (Length: 295 Km) (Revised)” worth Rs 435,720.821 million recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.

The package I of the Phase I of the project starting from Lahore Ring Road to Raiwind Kasur Road Interchange measuring 18.5 Km (package 1a) and Raiwind Kasur Road Interchange to Bimke-Chunian Road measuring 33 Km (package 1b) will only be executed by the NHA under ECDF of the Koren EXIM bank provided to the tune of US $ 269 million (Rs. 74,937.447 million @ 1 US $ to 278.6 Pkr) as informed by the EAD during the CDWP.

The project envisages the construction of two motorway sections in two Phases 1 and 2. The first section / phase consists of a 06-lane motorway facility with a length of 220 km, starting from Lahore Ring Road near Haloki Interchange.

It passes near various towns like Jedu, Watna, Rao Khan Wala, Bhimke, Chunian, Allahabad, Shergarh, Hujra Shah Muqeem, Depalpur, Okara, Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Harapa, and finally terminates on National Highway N-5 near Kassuwal.

The second phase/section of the motorway has 04 lanes with a length of 75 km. It branches off from the first motorway section near Depalpur, passes near Pakpattan, Arifwala, crosses the Sutlej River, and terminates on the Michanabad – Bahawalnagar Road near Bahawalnagar. Another four projects related to T&C presented namely “Construction of Chakdara-Chitral Road Project N-45 Section IIIK Kalkatak Chitral” worth Rs10.96bn recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.

The project is proposed to be financed through PSDP. The project envisages improvement, widening and rehabilitation of one of the Section of the N-45 i.e. Kalkatak – Chitral (47.98 km) to make it a 7.3 wide single carriageway with 2 meters’ shoulder on each side.

The project is proposed to be funded through Korean Loan of Korea EXIM Bank.

The scope of work also includes provision of retaining works, Slope stabilization works, construction of 5 new bridges and 145 culverts.

The project will provide improved mobility and accessibility between arterial roads in the northwestern part of Pakistan. The bottle neck section where the town area is situated can be improved by providing alternative route, bypass route.

The project will reduce the traffic congestion, traffic accident. Savings in vehicle operating costs and travel time. The project will uplift the economic condition of local community.

Stimulating trade relations with neighboring provinces, tourism attraction. Another project of T&C sector presented namely “Electrical & mechanical works, allied buildings and bridges of access roads of lowari tunnel project” worth Rs37.257bn recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.

The project is proposed to be financed through PSDP. A project of T&C presented in the meeting namely “Feasibility / cost estimate for dualization of Sialkot-Eminabad Road up to kamoke including link to motorway, length 65.10 km in district Sialkot” worth Rs10.688bn recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.

The project is proposed to be financed through PSDP. The project envisages dualization of Sialkot Eminabad Road up to Kamoke including link to motorway. Section Km No. 7/20 Ghato Pora to 37/20 Dharm Kot including link to motorway (3.4 Km), length 33.40 Km in district Sialkot.

Another project of T&C sector presented in the meeting namely “Construction of Border Terminal at Pak-Afghanistan Border Badini with B/T Road from Obashtai to khan Dagar Main Badani Road (Length 40 KM) District Killa Saifullah, Balochistan” worth Rs24.94bn recommended to ECNEC.

The Project envisages, Construction / Improvement / Upgradation of a Border Terminal at Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Badini with improvement & pgradation of40-kilometer long and 7.3-meter wide Blacktop Road starts from Murgha Faqirzai to Khan Dagar Main Badani Road, District Killa Saifullah of the Baluchistan Province.

The scope of work includes, Infrastructure Civil-works, Buildings i.e Import & Export Terminal, Residential Complex (Architecture, Civil, Str, FSS, Electrical and Plumbing), Custom Residential Complex, Export & Import Yard Parking Areas (Structure Works / Civil Works / Plumbing Works / HVAC Works / Electrical Works / Fire Suppression Services / Vertical Transport Service), External Works, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Improve & Upgradation of Blacktop Road, box culverts, protection works, cross drainage works, along with allied structure either side.

The scope of work also includes the construction of a parking area, other works, utility work, generators, security equipment, and provisional sum items, along with allied facilities.

Four projects related to higher education were presented in the meeting, including the "Provision of Hostel Facilities for 160 Female Students" worth Rs617.5 million, the "Establishment of the National Institute of Intelligence and Security Studies at Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad" worth Rs1.969bn, and the "PM National Volunteer Corps" worth Rs2.3bn, all of which were approved by the CDWP forum. Another project in the higher education sector presented in the meeting, namely the "PM’s Youth Internship Program" worth Rs27.691.62bn, was recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.

Additionally, four projects related to mass media were presented in the meeting: the "Revamping of PTVC" worth Rs1969.920 million, the "Upgradation and Replacement of 300 KW Medium Wave Transmission at HPT Khuzdar, Balochistan" worth Rs1.54bn, the "Upgradation and Replacement of 100 KW Medium Wave Transmission at HPT Quetta, Balochistan" worth Rs1.069bn, and the "Feasibility, Designing, and Construction of the National Library and Learning Centre" worth Rs250m.

All these projects were approved by the Central Development Working Party forum.

A project related to Health Sector presented in the meeting namely “Qaidi Azam Health Tower Islamabad” worth Rs. 15000 million recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The project will be financed through PSDP.

The project envisages construction of a state-of-the-art medical tower to fill the gaps of health service delivery in Islamabd Capital Territory.

The tower will be a self-contained vertical health facility containing all facilities. The facility would lessen the workload on other tertary care health facilities in Islamabad including PIMS and Polyclinic Hospitals.

A project related to Industries & Commerce presented in the meeting namely “Invest Pakistan” worth Rs1.229bn approved by the forum. The project will be funded through PSDP.

The main objective of the project is to establish a PMU for speedy hiring of fresh, qualified HR on market competitive salaries and to attract best talent for enhancing SIFC’s institutional strength.

Further experts/consultants and advisory consultancy/legal transaction firms will be hired. A project related to Governance presented in the meeting namely “National Economic Transformation and 5Es Unit” worth Rs. 2824.35 million approved by the forum.

The NETU project will serve as a strategic body focused on facilitating economic growth, enhancing productivity, and fostering innovation.

It will work in close collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector entities, academia, and international partners, to implement evidence-based policies and initiatives that align with Pakistan’s long-term economic goal of becoming a one trillion-dollar economy by 2035.

Three projects related to Water Resources sector presented in the meeting namely “Feasibility Study of Integrated Development of Chitral, Swat and Kabul Rivers” worth Rs. 1643.81 million and “Flood Management Enhancement Project-JICA Grant Initiatives” worth Rs. 118.606 million approved by the forum.

Another project of Water Resources sector presented namely “rehabilitation and improvement of left bank outfall drainage system (IBOD) (50% share federal government and 50% share provincial government)” worth Rs. 115463.500 million recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.

The source of financing is Federal Government 50% Share Provincial Government 50% Share and executed by the WAPDA.

The Scheme will help to Lower down the sub-soil water level of the huge Agriculture area of District Nawabshah, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas & Badin, as well as stagnant water of lands will be evacuated during rainfall.

After completion of this scheme the huge Agriculture area of District Nawabshah, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas & Badin will be reclaimed / cultivated and the villagers and land owners will get rid off from water logging.

The meeting started on 25th June and continues for three days to enable all the Ministries /Divisions in approval of projects for financing from PSDP during next financial year.

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Posted on: 2024-06-28T11:17:33+05:00