The meeting discussed the projects of various sectors including energy, water, transport and communication, physical planning, health, science and technology, culture, sports and tourism for approval. The CDWP discussed energy projects having Rs 18.6 billion cost, Rs 5.8 billion of projects related to water resources, Rs 24.2 billion related to transport and communication, Rs 12.2 billion related to science and technology, Rs 8.3 billion related to health, Rs 3.8 billion related to food and agriculture, Rs 66.356 million related to physical planning, while the projects valuing Rs 592 million related to the culture, sports and tourism.
In energy sector, two projects hydropower project (32.5 MW) at Attabad, Hunza, at the cost of Rs 11.533 billion and RLNG power plant near Trimmu (1230MW) at the cost Rs 4.34 billion were referred to the ECNEC for final approval. The CDWP also considered two projects in water resources sector out of which one was referred to the ECNEC for approval. The projects include construction of Papin Dam in tehsil Rawalpindi at the cost of Rs 5.834 billion. The project aims at conserving 89,600 acre-feet of water for provision of assured irrigation water supply to 20,000 acres of arid land.
In transport and communication sector, as many as three projects were approved and two were referred to the ECNEC for further approval. The total cost of the approved projects is Rs 3781.478 million. The approved projects include up-gradation of railways stations at Hassan Abdal, Nankana Sahib, and Narowal, construction of blacktop road in district Chaghi, and up-gradation of terminal facilities and dry ports.
In physical planning and housing, the CDWP approved three projects, which include construction of 1st floor of Academic Block at Civil Services Academy, Lahore, worth Rs 140.5 million, construction of auditorium at National Police Academy in Islamabad, worth Rs 79.461 million, and Business Complex ROD Plant, worth Rs 345.184 million.
In science and technology, a total of 10 projects were presented to the CDWP out of which nine were approved. The total cost of these projects is Rs 12.28 billion. The projects include establishment of sub-campus of University of Agriculture Faisalabad in Depalpur, district Okara, strengthening of University of Sargodha and its sub-campuses at Mianwali and Bhakkar, construction of hostel & academic infrastructure at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law Karachi, strengthening and up-gradation of academic facilities at University of Sindh, Jamshoro, establishment of Federal University at Hyderabad Sindh, up-gradation of Government College of Technology (GCT) Khairpur into Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology and Skill Development in Khairpur.
In food and agriculture sector, the CDWP referred Gwadar-Lesbela Livelihood Support Project to the ECNEC for further approval. In health sector, two projects were discussed and one was approved while the other was referred to the ECNEC. The approved project is establishment of 300 bedded maternal and child health institute in Nawab Shah, district Shaheed Benazirabad, worth Rs 1990.64 million. The meeting of the CDWP approved Rs 591.882 million project of culture, sports and tourism, for replacement of synthetic hockey turfs in seven cities such as Islamabad, Faisalabad, Wah Cantt, Peshawar, Quetta, Abbotabad and Lahore.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017