CDWP approves projects worth Rs 10.078 billion

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Monday approved 11 development projects, including four that of higher education, projects worth Rs10.078 billion.

The CDWP meeting was chaired by Minister for Planning Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal, which reviewed development projects in water resources, transport and communication, physical planning and housing and education sectors.

During the meeting, it recommended procurement of 58 locomotives worth Rs16,300 million to Ecnec and accorded approval to two projects. The foreign exchange component of the approved projects totalled Rs1,693.182 million.

Ahsan said the projects should be completed within the stipulated time, approved cost and resources. The higher number of higher education-related projects approved by the CDWP, he added, was part of the efforts to develop a knowledge-based economy in the country. The meeting approved Strengthening and Enhancement of Academic Provision in Faculty of Life and Environment Sciences, University of Peshawar, worth Rs 547.215 million.

It also approved a project ‘Development of University of Balochistan, Quetta’ at a cost of Rs1,096.74 million, with foreign exchange component of Rs 571.073 million.Other projects – Establishment and upgrading of Core Engineering Department in Mardan Campus of UET, Peshawar, at the cost of Rs1,382.599 million and Strengthening of Academic and Research Programme of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, at the cost of Rs 927.148 million – were also approved.

In water resources sector, the CDWP approved the feasibility study of Akhori Dam project at the cost of Rs286.857 million. Construction of Sanam Dam was also approved which, Ahsan said, would benefit the backward district of Lower Dir by catering the water supply needs for drinking and irrigation purposes. The project would cost Rs 944.673 million.

In transport and communication sector, the CDWP approved construction of fish landing jetty and allied harbour works at Surbandar Eastbay Gwadar at the cost Rs1,650.342 million and a similar project at Pishukan Eastbay Gwadar costing Rs1,869.299 million.

In physical planning and housing sector, the CDWP approved construction of a complex for National Highways and Motorway Police at Rahim Yar Khan at the cost of Rs 113.093 million. It also approved construction of residential and non-residential buildings for Force HQ Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and 112 Wing in Skardu at a cost of Rs237.217. The CDWP approved concept clearance proposal of establishing cardiac care centre at the AIMS, Islamabad, at the cost of Rs 393.238 million. It also approved concept clearance for Central  Asian Regional Economic Corporation (CAREC) University in Islamabad.