The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Monday approved procurement of 58 diesel and electric locomotives worth Rs16.3 billion by Pakistan Railways and recommended the project to ECNEC for final approval, while it deferred decision on the Right Bank Outfall Drain after Sindh and Balochistan expressed reservations on the project.
The meeting of the CDWP was chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal. The meeting approved eleven development projects worth Rs 10 billion including four higher education projects, water resources, transport and communication. The foreign exchange component of the approved projects totalled Rs1.69 billion.
Ahsan Iqbal directed that projects should be completed within the given time with approved cost and resources. He directed the Ministry of Water and Power to address concerns of Sindh and Balochistan on the RODB. He also directed integrating the three phases of RODB to sort out the pollution in the Mancher Lake.
The meeting was told that out of 465 locomotives of Pakistan Railways 300 were out of order. They have completed their life and the new locomotives are immediately required. A project for up-gradation of terminal facilities at the Dry Port at a cost of Rs 1.022 billion was also approved during the meeting.
The committee approved Rs 547.215 million for University of Peshawar to improve academics. It also approved development of University of Balochistan, Quetta project at a cost of Rs 1.096 billion with foreign exchange component (FEC) of Rs 571.073 million. The establishment of engineering department in Mardan campus of UET Peshawar at the cost of Rs 1.383 billion was approved with an FEC of Rs 763.485 million. It also approved strengthening of academics of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro with a cost of Rs 927.148 million with Rs 358.624 million in FEC.
In water resources sector CDWP approved feasibility study of Akhori Dam project at the cost of Rs 286.857 million. Construction of Sanam Dam project in District Lower Dir was also approved. The meeting approved construction of fish landing jetty and allied harbour works at Surbandar Eastbay Gwadar at the cost Rs 1.650 billion, while another fish landing jetty and related facilities were approved for Pishukan Eastbay Gwadar at the cost of Rs 1.869 billion.
The committee approved the 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 GB Scouts and 112 Wing at Skardu at the cost of Rs 237.217 million.
The CDWP approved the concept clearance proposal for establishment of Cardiac Care Centre at AIMS, Islamabad at the cost of Rs 393.238 million. It also approved concept clearance for the establishment of Central Asian Regional Economic Corporation (CAREC) University in Islamabad.