The Sindh government has requested the Centre to give top priority to Thar coal project in the upcoming federal public sector development programmes (PSDP) so that the energy crisis the country is facing nowadays could be resolved in the years to come.
An allocation of at least Rs 15 billion has been sought under the federal PSDP 2011-12 so that the Sindh government can develop the infrastructure at the Thar coalfields – the country’s largest coal reserves.
Besides, the authorities have also proposed a number of important schemes to be included in the coming PSDP, well-placed sources told Pakistan Today.
The schemes include the Makhi-Farash Link Canal Project (Chotiari Phase-II) including its feasibility study, improvement and widening of existing road network from Seaport Karachi-Thatta-Badin to Wango Mor, widening and reconditioning of the road from Wango Patan to Thario Helepota Thar coalfield, the feasibility study for providing a broad-gauge railway link for the coalfields of Sindh particularly the coal reserves of Tharparkar and Badin districts, the study for the development of additional blocks XI and XII (near Block VIII) at the Thar coalfield and the removal of effluent water from Thar Coalfields.
After provision of better infrastructure facilities, foreign investors would be asked to invest in the Thar coalfields and also offered incentives.
“The Sindh government will ensure safety and security of the foreigners working in the coalfields areas,” the sources said.
The World Bank is also providing financial assistance to the Sindh government for developing the Thar coalfields.
Sindh seeks Rs 15bn for Thar coal
