CDWP approves Rs 552.7 million project, recommends three projects worth Rs 209.5 billion

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) Monday approved one project, worth Rs 552.708 million, and recommended as many as three projects valuing Rs 209.5 billion to Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval. The CDWP met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar in the chair at the Planning Commission. Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, senior officials from the federal and provincial governments were also present in the meeting.
The projects related to energy, transport and communication sectors were presented in the meeting. As many as three projects related to energy sector were presented in the CDWP meeting. The first energy project '500 KV HVDC Transmission System between Tajikistan and Pakistan for Central Asia-South Asia Transmission Interconnection (CASA-1000)' at cost of Rs 45.99 billion was presented by Power Division, which was recommended to the ECNEC for consideration and final approval. The project envisions transmission of electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan.
The Energy & Power Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presented second energy project 'Preparation Advance facility for proposed World Bank assisted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower Development Project (PC-II)' worth Rs 552.708 million, which was approved by CDWP. The main objective of the project is to accelerate hydropower development in KP. The World Bank's assistance is being sought to accelerate development of hydropower projects in the province.
The third energy project 'Balakot Hydropower Project' worth Rs 85.92 billion was presented by Energy & Power Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which was recommended to the ECNEC for consideration. The project envisions construction of 310MW Balakot Hydropower Project on Kunhar River, a major tributary of Jhelum River. The energy to be generated form the project will provide more reliable and consistent power to local area and national grid.
In the transport and communication sector, the government of Sindh presented 'Construction of BRT Red Line Project,' worth Rs 77.598 billion, which was also referred to the ECNEC for final approval. The project envisages construction of metro bus dedicated corridors measuring 29.1km in length, from Numaish to Malir Halt depot and common corridor of 2.4 km. The project shall contribute to develop a sustainable urban bus transport system in Karachi with less travel time and enhanced mobility and accessibility. Estimated number of passengers per day would be 320,000.
The concept clearance proposal of FBR's project 'Domestic Resource Mobilisation,' worth US $ 400 million, was also given approval by the CDWP.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for planning said that the incumbent government has the political will and is committed to enhancing tax collection by mobilising internal resources. He expressed optimism that FBR will bring the best policy under the proposal for increasing tax revenue collection.
The government of Sindh presented concept clearance proposal of 'Karachi Urban Mobility Project (Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT),' worth Rs 65,968 million, which was also approved by the CDWP.