CDWP approves 17 projectsworth Rs19.2 billion

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Monday approved 17 projects worth Rs19.2 billion, and forwarded seven projects of Rs51.27 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further approval.

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Sartaj Aziz headed the meeting, with participation from senior officials from the federal and provincial governments. The projects presented for approval included energy projects worth Rs18.6 billion, water resources projects worth Rs5.8 billion, transport and communication projects Rs24.2 billion, science and technology projects Rs12.2 billion, health-related projects Rs8.3 billion, food and agriculture projects Rs3.8 billion, and physical planning projects Rs66.356 million, whereas Rs592 million worth of projects were related to culture, sports, and tourism.

In energy sector, two projects – 32.5MW Attabad Hunza Hydropower Project and 1,230MW RLNG Power Plant near Jhang - worth Rs11,533 million and Rs4,339.05 were referred to ECNEC for approval.

The Central Development Working Party considered two projects in water resources sector out of which construction of Papin Dam in Tehsil Rawalpindi worth Rs5,833.662 million, was referred to ECNEC for approval. The project aims at conserving 89,600 acre-feet of water for provision of assured irrigation water supply to 20,000 acres of rain-fed land.

In transport and communication sector, three projects were approved and two were referred to ECNEC for further approval. The total cost of the approved projects is Rs3,781.478 million.

The approved projects include up-gradation of railway stations at Hassan Abdal, Nankana Sahib and Narowal, construction of black top road in District Chagi, and up-gradation of terminal facilities and dry ports.

In physical planning and housing, the Central Development Working Party approved three projects, which include construction of 1st Floor of Academic Block at Civil Services Academy in Lahore worth Rs140.5 million, construction of auditorium at National Police Academy in Islamabad worth Rs79.461 million, and Business Complex ROD Plant worth Rs345.184 million.

In science and technology section, 10 projects were presented to CDWP out of which nine were approved. The total cost of these projects is Rs12,275.097 million. 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 and 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 the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology and Skill Development in Khairpur Mirs, establishment of University of Education, and Competitive Research Programme.

In food and agriculture sector, Gwadar-Lasbela livelihood support project was referred to ECNEC for further approval. In health section, two projects were discussed, one was approved and the other was referred to ECNEC. The approved project is the establishment of 300 bedded maternal and child health institute in Nawabshah district Shaheed Benazirabad worth Rs1,990.64 million.

The Central Development Working Party meeting approved Rs591.882 million worth of projects in culture, sports and tourism, including replacement of synthetic hockey turfs in Islamabad, Faisalabad, Wah Cantt, Peshawar, Quetta, Abbotabad, and Lahore.