ISLAMABAD, June 29: The Central Development Working Party on Saturday approved projects worth Rs35 billion, including Lyari Expressway, Satpara and Bhasha dam, an official told Dawn.

The CDWP meeting, presided over by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Shahid Amjad Chaudhry, was also attended by officials concerned of the provincial governments.

The construction work on 16.5-km-long Lyari expressway was initiated in April, 2002, which is scheduled to be completed in 36 months.

The expressway would cost Rs5.081 billion, with a sum of Rs500 million having already been expended on it up to June, 2002. In the public sector development programme, Rs900 million have been set aside for the project.

The CDWP also approved Satpara Multipurpose Project involving a total cost of Rs2.090 billion. An allocation of Rs150 million has been made in the public sector development programme 2002-03.

Bhasha dam project is another water-related scheme approved by the CDWP.