ISLAMABAD, March 25: The government has approved 18 development projects at a cost of Rs 13.8 billion including Rs 7.4 billion for the five-year Population Welfare Programme for Punjab.
According to official sources, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) of the Planning Commission which met on March 22 under the chairmanship of Dr Akram Sheikh, however, withdrew the much talked about Rs 28.7 billion National Drainage Programme Project.
The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) which is the sponsoring agency of the National Drainage Programme was asked to submit the project in the next meeting again by removing various objections raised by the concerned officials.
The construction of the underpass on Lahore Branch Canal project was also withdrawn and would now be resubmitted in the next CDWP meeting. According to the details, Population Welfare Programme for Punjab will have the recurring expenditure of Rs 1.7 billion annually. It envisages expansion in the service delivery infrastructure and provision of reproductive health package.
Rohri Hydropower Project costing Rs 794.513 million was also approved by the CDWP. The project is located in district Sukkur, Sindh and envisages installation of six units of "pit type" turbines of 1.323 MW each along with necessary transformation and protection equipment. Main civil work includes power house building, trashrack, tailrace channel and retaining wall.
The meeting approved another Machai Hydropower project worth Rs 273.56 million and it envisages installation of 3.6 MW hydro power plant at Machai canal along with necessary transformation, transmission and protection equipment. The project is located at Mardan, NWFP and was proposed by WAPDA.
Also Pakpatan Hydropower project in Punjab costing Rs 358.081 million was approved and it will generate 71.427 Gwh of electrical energy at 80 percent plant factor.
The power plant will contribute in meeting the power shortage and will be helpful in improving the hydro-thermal mix with the development of the proposed project and other projects which are at various stages of implementation.
The meeting further approved Chor Nullah and Spat Gah Hydropower project in district Kohistan of NWFP at a total cost of Rs 347.756 million. The purpose is to meet the growing power needs of the province.
Another "Muskhui" hydro project at district Chitral, NWFP was approved and it envisages feasibility study for development of hydropower project at main Chitral river.
The meeting also approved Lawi Hydro power project in Chitral, NWFP and the main scope of the work includes topographic survey, geological investigation, surface and sub-surface investigations, socio economic and environmental studies, preliminary designing of power house, financial and economic studies.
The approval was also accorded for Kalangai Dam Hydropower projects costing Rs 230.387 million in Swat, NWFP. Godubar Hydropower project (Rs 190.24 million), in district Chitral, NWFP, Khazana Dam Hydropower project (Rs 219.874 million) in district Dir, NWFP were also approved.
The meeting also approved expansion and improvement of Telecommunication Facilities in the Northern Areas Project Phase- II. The project will cost Rs 668 million to help generate the cumulative Rs 1.4 billion income.
The project constitutes the second phase of programme of extension of digital telecommunication facilities in the remote and under developed region of the Northern Areas.
The Grant for Sindh Vulnerable Groups Fund project was further approved at a cost of Rs 55.380 million. The project is located at Karachi, Hyderabad, and Khairpur Districts of Sindh. The meeting also approved Merit Scholarship Scheme to help 12 scholars to study abroad at a cost of Rs 57.990 million.
