Pakistan ECNEC approves 11 development projects worth billions of rupees

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Monday approved 11 development projects worth billions of rupees including metro project for Peshawar with estimated cost of Rs49.346 billion.

The council, under chairmanship of finance minister Ishaq Dar, met at the Prime Minister’s Office, and approved various federal and provincial development projects.

It approved the project for Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme (Phase-IV) 2017-18 at a total cost of Rs6.196 billion. Around 100,000 young aspirants would be trained in demand-driven market-oriented trades / courses of three-six months.

The Ecnec considered the proposal regarding Koto Hydropower Project, and approved the project at a revised cost of Rs13.998 billion. The construction of 40.8MW Koto Hydropower station would be undertaken on Panjkora River.

The executive committee also approved the Peshawar Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Project at a cost of Rs49.346 billion. The project envisages construction of a 25.8 kilometre long two-lane dedicated signal free Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) main corridor, including 32 stations. The Asian Development Bank had approved the multimillion dollar loan for construction of BRT at Peshawar.

Enhancing Public-Private Partnerships in Pakistan (Provincial Support) Project for Sindh at a cost of Rs19.289 billion was also approved. The project was aimed at enhancing capacity of the government of Sindh to select and develop public-private partnership projects.

The Ecnec discussed and approved the project for integration of health services delivery with special focus on MNCH, LHW, and nutrition programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a revised cost of Rs13.926 billion. The project was being partly financed through grant aid from DFID and Aus-Aid. The project would cover all 25 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The establishment of children hospital in Bahawalpur (Phase-1) was also approved at a total cost of Rs5.008 billion. Phase-1 of the project envisages construction of a 235-bed hospital, whereas the capacity would increase to 495 beds after completion of Phase-2.

Construction of Rathoa Haryam Bridge and approaches across reservoir channel on Mirpur-Islamgarh Road were also approved at a revised cost of Rs6.480 billion. The project entails construction of two lanes (7.3m wide), 7,217m roadway with allied structures. The project is a component of the Mangla Dam Raising Project.

The council considered and approved the ‘Karachi Neighbourhood Improvement Project (KNIP) Karachi Transformation Strategy (KTS)’ at a cost of Rs10.260 billion. Under the project, measures would be taken for public space and mobility improvements in selected neighbourhoods, and to improve citizen services and city capacity development.

Ecnec granted approval to a project for improvement, up-gradation and widening of Jaglot-Skardu Road (S-1, 164km) at a revised cost of Rs32.325 billion. It considered and approved a project for improvement and widening of additional two-lanes on either side of Thokar Niaz Baig to Hudyiara Drain Multan Road N-5 in Lahore, at a cost of Rs10.397 billion.

Similarly, the economic council approved the Punjab Irrigated-Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project at a revised cost of Rs67.459 billion. The project entails rehabilitation / completion of improvement works on 6,000 canal irrigated watercourses, development / rehabilitation of 4,000 irrigation schemes outside the canal commands, provision of 6,000 additional laser units to farmers / service providers for field levelling, and completion of installation of drip / sprinkler irrigation system on 120,000 acres. The World Bank is providing loan for this irrigation efficiency project in Punjab.