ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved over Rs 1,312 billion for development projects including Diamer-Bhasha Project - Power Generation Facilities (4,500 MW) at a total cost of Rs 1,236.10 billion on Thursday.
The ECNEC meeting presided over by Finance Minister Ishaq considered and approved Diamer-Bhasha Project – Power Generation Facilities (4,500 MW) at a total cost of Rs 1,236.10 billion including foreign exchange component (FEC) of Rs 598.19 billion.
The main object of the project is to capitalize on the economical and renewable hydropower energy benefits of 4,500 MW from the power generation facilities under Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project. The project will be implemented by the WAPDA.
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The ECNEC also acquisition of land project for upgradation/improvement/ widening of 329.7 km long and 04-Lane wide dual carriageway, starting from Rajanpur and terminating at Dera Ismail Khan Section Indus Highway, National Highway (N-55).
The titled affected properties, and compensation for Rajanpur-Dera Ghazi Khan Section as 04-Lane Highway and Dualisationand Rehabili-tation of Dera Ghazi Khan- Dera Ismail Khan Section of N- 55” project at a rationalized cost of Rs 11.377 billion without FEC was approved.
The ECNEC also approved the reconstruction of Turbat-Mand Road from Motorway (M-8) to Iranian Border (Radeeq) project at a rationalised cost of Rs 19.571 billion. The revised project envisages reconstruction/improvement/up-gradation of 115 km long carriageway starting from Motorway (M-8 Gwadar-Ratodero Motorway) to Kurumb (Iranian border) in Balochistan province. The project road connects the Iranian border with west i.e. coastal Belt of the province.
The project road is a part of the Southern Balochistan Development Package (SBDP).
Another project approved by the ECNEC is the construction of Panjgur-Gichak-Awaran road at the rationalised cost of Rs 27.638 billion without the FEC. The revised project envisages the construction of 228 kms long carriageway start from Panjgur-Gichak-Awaran in southern Balochistan region. The project road is a part of the Southern Balochistan Development Package (SBDP).
The ECNEC considered and approved Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), at modified/updated cost of Rs 17.470 billion, funded by the World Bank IDA loan. The project plans to ensure the improvement in digitalisation efforts undertaken so far throughout Pakistan. The Ministry of IT and Telecom along with NITB, NADRA, PITB, IGNITE, and the Board of Investment (BoI) will execute the project.
The Planning Commission submitted a summary regarding agenda for the 31st Meeting of the Steering Committee on SDG Achievement Programme (SAP).
The ECNEC after discussion allowed continuity of the prevailing mechanism and allowed Power Division to approve SDGs schemes.
The ECNEC also considered and approved a summary submitted by the Planning Commission on the procedure to clear pending liabilities of the closed projects.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023
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