Ecnec approves transmission line for Balloki power plant

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Thursday approved the transmission line for LNG-based 1,200 MW combined cycle power plant at Balloki with rationalised cost of Rs3.433 billion, subject to availability of LNG to run this project.
It also directed the authorities concerned to finalise the right of way for two-kilometer patch of revised Lyari Expressway. The federal government, according to one participant of the meeting, had provided the allocated resources for this project but one diversion requires approval. The committee in its meeting held here under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar approved important proposals relating to energy and communication.
The Balloki plant was discussed at length. The minister, while according approval to the proposal at a rationalised cost of Rs3,433.90 million including FEC of 2030.48 million, remarked that possibility of foreign funding by the IBRD may be explored for this project. He also observed that arrangements for foreign funding must be made well in advance for all projects requiring the same to avoid any difficulty or delay in undertaking such projects. This project, the meeting was informed, aimed at evacuation of 1,200 MW power from the proposed plant in district Kasur to upcountry load centres by construction of 500 KV transmission line (40 KM) from the plant to Lahore South grid station.
The Ecnec also discussed and approved the Ministry of Water & Power’s proposal regarding the Warsak Hydroelectric power station (second rehabilitation) project at a rationalised cost of Rs22,254.230 million with FEC of Rs11,283.519 million. The rehabilitation work under phase-II would address the main existing problems of the Warsak site to enhance generation capacity from 193 MW (as of 2013) to actual 243 MW.
Another proposal from the ministry regarding construction of Basol Dam, 54 km north of Ormara Town, Gawadar, was also approved. The total cost of the project is Rs9,636 million without FEC, with cost sharing (on equal basis) by the federal and provincial governments of the water supply and conveyance system amounting to Rs2,795.68 million. The main objective of the project is to provide irrigation water to an area of 11,638 acres through efficient pipeline conveyance system. Under the project construction of a network of lined watercourses in the command area of the dam will be carried out. Further, the project would ensure water supplies to the population of Ormara town and its surroundings as well as the Jinnah Naval Base.
On KPK’s proposal, the construction of 69 MW Lawi hydropower project, Chitral, was approved after detailed deliberations. The project would cost Rs20,087.50 million with FEC of Rs4,146.34 million to supply cheaper electricity to the people of Drosh and Chitral valleys. The unused power will be transmitted to the national grid.
An emergency reconstruction and resilience project for ALK was approved at a reviewed estimated cost of Rs6,641.00 million including FEC of Rs5,976.90 million as the ADB loan. The project envisages re-construction and rehabilitation of 234-km-long roads in various districts of AJK, which were damaged by 2014 floods.
The Ecnec also approved the disaster and climate resilience improvement project (DCRIP) for Punjab at the cost Rs10,240 million (100% credit financing of World Bank). The project is aimed at social and economic recovery of flood-affected areas through the restoration and reconstruction of critical infrastructure to safer standards. The project has been conceived to build the capacity of Punjab government in the domain of disaster and climate change prevention and management.
The proposal of the government of Punjab for flood emergency reconstruction and resilience project (ADB assisted) was also at a total cost of Rs17,690.899 million including Rs15,921.737 million ADB loan. The Government of Punjab shall have a share of Rs1,769.162 million. The project aims at economic and social recovery of flood affected areas through the restoration and reconstruction of critical infrastructure to safer standards.
The Ecnec discussed the proposal regarding revised Lyari Expressway project. The chair observed that this project was of paramount importance and needed due attention of all the concerned authorities for its completion. The minister directed the Ministry of Planning & Development, representative of the Sindh government and M/o communication to remove all impediments to the project, and present a report to the next Ecnec meeting.