CDWP approves 15 projects worth Rs 29.3 billion

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved 15 projects valued at Rs 29.3 billion. The projects include three schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 16.7 billion, which were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec). The CDWP has also approved four position papers of development projects of various sectors at a cost of Rs 8.1 billion.
The CDWP met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal in the chair at P-Block Secretariat of the Planning Commission Thursday. The meeting was attended by senior officials belonging to the concerned federal and provincial governments.
The CDWP approved Green Pakistan Programme to revive forestry resources in the country at a cost of Rs 3.7 billion. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed the officials of the Climate Change Division to coordinate with agricultural universities of each province and engage them in the plantation process.
The CDWP further approved two projects of Higher Education Commission (HEC) with an estimated cost of Rs 2.2 billion, one for upgradation of universities of backward areas at Rs 1.3 billion with Rs 23 million Foreign Exchange Component (FEC) and the other for the development of new campus of Government College University Faisalabad Phase 2 at a cost of Rs 920 million with FEC 94 million. The CDWP approved reconstruction/rehabilitation of fully damaged schools in Bara Khyber Agency under Chinese assistance (2016-17) at a cost of Rs 1.6 billion. In energy sector, the CDWP approved capacity enhancement of Chitral hydel power station from 1 MW to 5 MW at a cost of Rs 2267 million with FEC Rs 574 million and advanced metering infrastructure project and billing system for state owned distribution utilities in Pakistan at an estimated cost of Rs 2 billion with FEC Rs 1.1 billion.
In water resource sector, the CDWP has approved construction of 20 small dams in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa at a cost of Rs 452 million. This project will help irrigate 1,500 acres of land and will also supply drinking water to 15,000 inhabitants. It approved two position papers which included construction of small dams in district Mansehra Khyber Pakhtunkhawa at a cost of Rs 3.7 billion and construction of Ramma and Kasna dams in Tehsil Fateh Jang district Attock at an estimated cost of Rs 3.8 billion.
In transport and communication sector, the CDWP approved and referred land acquisition for Faisalabad -Abdul Hakeem motorway M-4 (138kms) project with an estimated cost of Rs 4.3 billion and dualization and improvement of Suhawa-Chakwal Road at a cost of Rs 8.8 billion to Ecnec. It also approved rehabilitation/procurement of re-manufactured 300 traction motors at a cost of Rs 1.8 billion.
In physical planning & housing sector, the CDWP approved construction/upgradation of mosque at Pakistan Secretariat Islamabad at a cost of Rs 448 million. This project aims at increasing the capacity up to 8,000 people. The Minister instructed to fast-track its construction to ensure ground breaking in the next 30 days. It has also approved position paper of construction of national accountability bureau Punjab complex Lahore of at a cost of 642 million.
The CDWP approved position paper for the construction of waste water channel on Saim Nallah at Mamon Kanjan Tehsil Tandlianwala, District Faisalabad at a cost of Rs 251 million. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed the concerned department of the government of Punjab to take on board all stakeholders and chalk out permanent solution to protect people from pollution and submit report within one month.
In industry and commerce sector, the CDWP approved the establishment of infrastructure in Quetta Industrial and Trading Estate Phase 2 at a cost of Rs 279 million and the establishment of an industrial estate at Bostan Phase 1 with an estimated cost of Rs 519 million. Ahsan Iqbal directed the officials of the Ministry of Industries and Production to submit a business plan of both projects within one month. It also approved position paper of Peshawar Light Engineering Centre at a cost of Rs 265 million. The CDWP approved reconstruction of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) to function as a world class centre of excellence for research and postgraduate teaching by improving infrastructure and building capacity at a cost of Rs 349 million.