CDWP approves development projects costing 130 billion

ISLAMABAD, May 03, 2017: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Minister for Planning, Development & Reform and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal, Wednesday approved development projects worth 130 billion including a CPEC Scheme ‘Revival of Karachi Circular Railway’ and a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government’s Peshawar Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Project.

CDWP recommended Ecnec to consider approval of 7 mega projects in Energy, Transport Communication, Water Resources and Manpower Sectors.

The CDWP also accorded concept clearance to two projects including construction of Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M6) worth 238 billion rupees and Sindh Renewable Energy Development Project (SREDP) worth 122 million dollar.

CDWP also reviewed two position papers of ongoing project in education and water resources sector worth 64 billion.

Transport and Communication Sector

In transport and communication sector, CDWP recommended 04 megaprojects of worth 102 billion to Ecnec.
The forum approved Revival of Karachi Circular Railway worth 27.6 billion, a project included in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor framework during 6th JCC in Beiging, China last year on.  The project proposed by Sindh Government, envisages revival and construction of 43.2 km double railway track with 24 stations and procurement of 162 locomotos. The project ridership is estimated at 550000 passengers per day in the opening year with projected demand of 749, 541 till 2030.

CDWP also approved a 56.8 billion Peshawar Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Project of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government. The project, planned to be constructed with 48 billion loan of Asian Development Bank, envisages construction of 25.8 km long road track, 32 stations with commercial building and other allied facilities. The project planned to be executed in 12 months is expected to facilitate 4, 72 000 people per day in initial phase.

CDWP also approved a world bank financed Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project (KNIP) worth 10.5 billion. The project proposed by Sindh Government envisages improvement of roads, parks, government buildings and citizen services in the commercial hub of Pakistan.

Minister PD&R, Ahsan Iqbal instructed the provincial government officials to ensure urban management in Karachi and prepare a long term city master plan in line with Pakistan’s Vision 2025. He also said that the provincial government must prepare a clear plan for repayment of loans availed for KNIP.

The Planning body also approved the 7 billion project of construction of 4 –Lane Bridge across River Indus connecting Kallur Kot Bhakkar with Dhakki area of Dera Ismail Khan. Ahsan Iqbal instructed that the 14 km approach road to the bridge would be constructed by the Government of Punjb.

Energy

In energy sector, CDWP approved 30 MW Hydro Power Project Ghowari in Gilgat Biltistan with estimated cost of 7.9 billion.

Water Resources

CDWP approved 6 projects worth 6.6 billion in water resource sector. The projects include construction of three dams in Pashin and Lorlai areas of Balochistan. This forum also recommended Raising of Baran Dam Project worth 5 billion to Ecnec.