Central Development Working Party (CDWP), approved development projects of worth RS.74.48 billion

Dated : 11 April 2017

ISLAMABAD: While approving several development projects costing 74.48 billion Rupees, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Minister for Planning, Development & Reform and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal, on Tuesday recommended Ecnec to consider approval of 6 mega projects in Energy, Transport Communication and health Sectors.
The CDW also accorded concept clearance to two foreign funded projects of worth 27.55 Billion, proposed by Government of Sindh.
Energy Sector
In energy sector, CDWP recommended three megaprojects of worth 27 billion to Ecnec, including construction of new 132 kv Grid Stations & Transmissions Lines, Distribution Rehabilitation (Energy loss reduction) and Distribution Expansion. All the three projects were proposed by Sukkur Electric Supply Company to upgrade the power distribution system and ensure loss reduction by installation of new grid stations, transmission lines and transformers in Sukkur, Jacobabad and adjacent districts.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal while approving the schemes instructed that all the three projects must be completed in one year period.
Health Sector
CDWP approved two projects in health Sector including a mega project ‘Prime Ministers National Health Program’ worth of 8.179 Billion and up-gradation of non-radiation modern endoscopy diagnostic services in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (SZABMU) Islamabad, worth 465 million.
Minister directed that deserving families should be facilitated through PM National Health Program. He also instructed that the concerned authorities should work out a detail 5 year plan to assess the financial impact of the initiative and ensure that resources required and extension in the program must match each other.
Higher Education
CDWP also approved 4 projects in education sector which include 3 projects in Balochistan. A project of Strengthening University of Education, Lahore was discussed in detail where CDWP approved only one portion of the project to strengthen Lahore based campuses of this university.
Minister instructed officials of Higher Education Commission to ensure consolidation of resources and discourage mushroom growth of universities and its networks.
Minister further directed HEC officials to finalize a national framework for degree awarding institutes and conduct an academic audit for ensuring quality.
CDWP also approved project of University Collage of Dera Murad Jamali, Nasirabad, worth 1.50 billion. It also approved Prime Minister’s announced project of establishment of University College of Zhob under University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences worth 1.2 billion.
CDWP has asked for reconsideration of a project provision of quality education opportunities to the students of FATA and Balochistan in Cadet Colleges, Ploy Technical, Vocational and other institutes, instructing that instead of HEC, Ministry of education should propose this initiative for speedy implementation by ensuring coordination with FATA and Baluchistan’s administration.
It also approved establishment/up gradation of Gwadar University project worth 67 million with instruction that the master planning/ designing should be consulted with foreign experts already engaged in master planning of Gwadar City.
Industries and Commerce
A project of worth 490.036 million, titled 1000 Industrial Stitching Unit (Phase-1) was approved by CDWP, instructing for PC-1 revision. A committee was formed to report in 30 days and ensured complete rehash of this project to ensure its maximum benefits for youth of the country.
Physical Planning and Housing
CDWP approved two projects of construction of IB Offices along with CPEC and construction/ extension of residential accommodation of IB Academy worth 580.883 million.
However, it instructed for revision of two projects in housing sector including extension of federal lodges at Karachi and consultancy services for Margalla International Convention Center, Islamabad.
Transport & Communication
The Central Development Working Party has approved a project of construction of Lahore Sialkot Motorway (LSM) Link (4-Lane) via Narang Mandi to Narowal, 73.3 Km worth 15.98 billion with observation to rationalize the cost.
It also approved a project of widening, improvement and rehabilitation of remaining portion from National Highways N-25, Kararo-Wadh Section worth 1.7 billion, instructing for rationalization of cost.
CDWP also recommended widening and improvement of Ghalanai-Muhammad Ghat Road project at Mohmand Agency, FATA worth 4.39 billion to Ecnec.
In transport communication sector, CDWP also approved reopening of rail car from Kohat-Rawalpindi-Kohat on experimental bases, worth 381 million. The project was initiated following the Prime Minister’s special directives.
Water Resources
CDWP approved project of correcting approach to control erosive action along its right bank worth 290.8 million with instruction for cost revision.
It also approved a project of capacity building of the office of Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, worth 635.36 with observation to rationalize the cost and rehash the PC-1.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal on the occasion said that to make this institution a vibrant one, capacity building and providing modern equipment is need of the day. He instructed that the institution should ensure linkages with line ministries and technical institution to ensure water security of Pakistan in future.
The Planning Commission body also approved two projects of small dams construction in Khyber Pakhtunkwa, worth 2.9 billon. Both the dams will be constructed in Mansehra with the funding of federal Government, where KP government will fund the land acquisition.
CDWP also recommended a position paper of construction of Rathoa-Haryam Bridge and it’s approached across Reservoir Channel on Mirpur Islamabad to Ecnec.
The CDW also accorded concept clearance to two foreign funded projects of worth 27.55 Billion, proposed by Government of Sindh. The projects include Flood Emergency Reconstruction Project phase -1 and rehabilitation of Sukkar Barrage Improvement Project Phase-11. Both the projects are foreign funded where World Bank and Asian Development Bank is providing 90 to 80 % of the cost as aid.