The Central Development Working Party ( CDWP) approved various significant projects to transmit electricity from the power plants to the national grid for transfer to upcountry load centres.
Overall, the CDWP approved 18 projects of worth Rs154 billion, including seven project costing Rs 134 billion, which were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). In addition it approved two position papers.
The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Prof Ahsan Iqbal, and was attended by senior officers of the provincial governments and ministries concerned.
In energy sector, CDWP approved and referred two projects including evacuation of power from 2 x1100 MW K-2/K-3 coastal power plants near Karachi worth Rs 5.6 billion with FEC Rs 2.6 billion and evacuation of power from 2 x 660 MW Thar coal based SSRL/SECL power plant at Thar worth Rs 23 billion with FEC Rs 12 billion to ECNEC. It also approved evacuation of power from 350 MW Siddiqsons energy coal fired power plant near Port Qasim worth Rs 2.9 billion with FEC Rs 1.4 billion. The three projects aim to transmit power from the power plants and transfer it to the national grid .
The CDWP approved rehabilitation of damaged 66 KV grid station at Ghiljo Orakzai Agency worth Rs 145 million and construction of 132 KV SDT transmission line for making interconnecting arrangement between 132 KV grid station Kharan & Mall grid (82 KM) worth Rs 650 million . It referred 500 KV Chakwal substation worth Rs 7 billion with FEC Rs 3.8 billion to ECNEC.The CDWP also gave clearance and referred revised Koto hydropower project located in Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ECNEC worth Rs 14 billion with FEC Rs 7 billion.
In transport and communication sector, CDWP approved revised project of improvement and construction of Jalkhad- Chilas road project worth Rs 7.8 billion, feasibility studies of up-gradation of existing railway line from Rohri to Koti- Taftan via Quetta including the realignment of Sibi-Spezand Section (1022 kms) and feasibility study of rail link from Quetta to Kotla Jam (538 Kms) (updation of existing feasibility study) worth Rs 292 million. This project would help to connect Quetta to Peshawar through rail.
It also approved up-gradation of VHF communication system for operational staff worth Rs 737 million. In addition it approved up-gradation of road from RCC Konodas Bridge to Naltar Airbase Camp via Nomal (47 km) of worth Rs 2.7 billion.
The CDWP approved saaf suthro Sindh (SSS) Programme – scaling up of rural sanitation worth Rs 1.5 billion in principle. While giving his observations Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal observed that the project needed restructuring to ensure solid outcomes and deliverables. The CDWP approved Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Improvement (PIPIP) worth Rs 80 Billion with FEC Rs 48 billion. Federal Minister Ahan Iqbal stressed the need to partner agricultural university in this project for research and innovation purposes.
In Higher Education, CDWP approved provision of academic and research facilities, Air University, Islamabad worth Rs 1.6 billion with FEC Rs 269 million. However, the minister urged to rationalise scope of the project.
In Information Technology, CDWP approved provision of seamless GSM Coverage along KKH in support of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and up-gradation of GSM Network for Gilgit Baltistan Phase-II worth Rs 3.3 billion.
The CDWP approved institutional strengthening & efficiency enhancement of Planning Commission worth Rs 200 million. It gave clearance to two projects in principle which includes Pakistan Programme – revival of wildlife resources in Pakistan worth Rs 1.1 billion and Zoological survey of Pakistan worth Rs 99 million. The chair observed to review and rationalize the cost of the project.
In addition, CDWP also approved 2 position papers which includes construction of 100 dams in Tehsil Dubandal, Gulistan, Killa Abdullah and Chaman area in Killa Abdullah worth Rs 1.5 billion and Pehur high level canal extension district Swabi worth Rs 10 billion.
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