The government has approved an allocation of Rs 33.2 billion for 24 development projects during the next financial year 2016-17 under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), out of which Rs 9.7 billion have been earmarked for 12 projects involving development of the coastal city of Gwadar.
Minister for Planning, National Reforms and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that full pace of work on CPEC projects will be gained during the next fiscal year while work on roads linking the two countries will be expedited along with development of infrastructure in Gwadar.
The government plans to develop the city and industrial infrastructure of Gwadar simultaneously to complete the projects within the next three years. The completion of the infrastructure is likely to pave the way for attracting investment and professionals in the city.
According to official documents, an allocation of Rs 4.7 billion has been made for the Rs 14 billion Gwadar Eastbay Expressway that will link the deep seaport with the Makran Coastal Highway. Similarly, an allocation of Rs 1.5 billion has been made for the Rs 22.9 billion New Gwadar International Airport. For the Rs 2.8 billion capital dredging of berthing area and channel for a new terminal, a sum of Rs 300 million has been earmarked.
For fresh water supply to the city, an allocation of Rs 1.5 billion has been made against the total project cost of Rs 11.3 billion. For up-gradation of the existing hospital, Rs 458 million have been allocated against the project estimate of Rs 9.9 billion. For the infrastructure of an export processing zone and other industrial zones, an allocation of Rs 250 million has been made against the project cost of Rs 3.5 billion.
For developing human resource, Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute, Rs 250 million will be provided against Rs 984 million project cost. The road from the coastal highway to the airport has been allocated Rs 100 million out of the project cost of Rs 184 million. For a 132 kv grid station in the city, Rs 962 million will be earmarked while Rs 20 million have been provided for a pre-feasibility study for setting up a 300 MW coal-fired power plant.
An allocation of Rs 23.5 billion has been made for the highway projects of the CPEC. Being important the Rs 136.6 Thakot-Havelian Road has been earmarked a sum of Rs 14 billion along with Rs 1.8 billion for land acquisition. For the Rs 39.4 billion Havelian-Burhan Road, an allocation of Rs 5.6 billion has been in the next fiscal year.
The government also plans to undertake four feasibility studies to establish railway link between Gwadar-Karachi, Gwadar-Jacobabad, Havelian-Jacobabad via Bhakkar, Kundian, Daud Khel, Basal and Taxila and Havelian-Pak China border. While feasibility studies will be taken to rehabilitate main line for new dry-port in Baldher, Haripur.
Other than these projects, an allocation of Rs 230 million has been made for the Rs 4.3 billion Pak-China fiber optic link and Rs 10 million for improving mobile coverage along the Karakoram Highway.