20 projects costing Rs23.2b approved

ISLAMABAD—The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) here on Thursday approved 20 projects costing Rs.23.2 billion including foreign aid component of Rs.2.9 billion in infrastructure, social and other sectors.
The CDWP was chaired by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr.Muhammad Akram Sheikh. “This was the 6th meeting of the current financial year while in the earlier five meetings 151 projects costing Rs.152.7 billion were approved”, Asif Sheikh, Spokesman Planning and Development Commission told a press conference about the decisions of the meeting here at “P” block auditorium here this afternoon.
Member implementation Planning Commission Lt.Gen (R) Muhammad Zubair and Asad Ali Shah member infrastructure were also present on the occasion. Mr.Sheikh said in addition three projects were also conceptually cleared adding the projects were: Project for the retrieval of sewerage and drainage system in Lahore city at a cost of Rs.593 million, feasibility study for potential alternate water source for Karachi -desalination option costing Rs.45.0 million and construction of bridge at Thakot at a cost of Rs.302.6 million.
He added that in infrastructure 10 projects with a total cost of Rs.15.3 billion with foreign aid component of Rs.2.4 billion. He said the CDWP approved 7 project in social sector with a cost of Rs.7.2 billion while in other sector 3 projects worth Rs 0.7 billion with a foreign aid component of Rs.0.5 billion.
The Spokesman Planning Commission said the CDWP also approved 7 project worth Rs.6.9 billion for Punjab, 3 project worth Rs.4.0 billion for Sindh, 1 project worth Rs.4.0 billion for N.W.F.P , 3 projects costing Rs.4.9 billion for Balochistan, 1 project costing Rs.0.2 billion for Northern Areas and 5 projects costing Rs.6.7 billion with foreign aid component of Rs.2.9 billion for all over country.
He further said that all seven projects in Punjab have been approved on 50:%50 cost sharing basis while the federal government will meet 3.45 billion and the balance by the provincial government. Of the three projects located in Sindh province , one project costing Rs.120 million will be shared on 50:50 basis and the balance amount will be paid by the federal government, he remarked. The Spokesman Planning and Development Commission, Asif Sheikh said that in the infrastructure sector, CDWP approved Construction of Ch.Zahoor Ellahi Shaheed bridge over river Chenab at Shahbazpur in district Gujrat at a cost of Rs.1131.938 million. It also approved dualization of Lahore Kasur road section Khana to Kasur and to enhance its length from 26.65 KM to 55 KM (phase-II) at a cost of Rs.2102.889 million. Dualization of Kasur Ganda Singh Road section from 55 KM to 68.10 KM at a cost of Rs.545.274 million were also approved by the CDWP.
It also approved construction of additional bridge near Salgran on Rawalpindi Muree Kashmir road length 3000 Rft. Construction of dual carriage way Gujrat to Salam interchange (Motorway) through Mandi Bahauddin (Section KM 27.90 to 124.30 length =96.40 kms. Rehabilitation, up-gradation and conversion of Rs.3434.000 million with foreign aid component of Rs.2410.580 million were also approved by the CDWP. In water sector the CDWP Extension of Pat feeder canal for utilization Indus water in Balochistan as per water accord (1991) at a cost of Rs.4467.503 million. Trichan to Attahk irrigation schemes at Aulkoh district Chitral was also approved.—Agencies