ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Monday cleared the procurement of 58 diesel electric locomotives by Pakistan Railways at a cost of Rs16.30 billion and forwarded the project to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council for approval.
The CDWP meeting, chaired by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, approved eleven development projects, including four higher education projects, worth Rs10.08bn. The foreign exchange component of the approved projects in water resources, transport and communication, physical planning and housing and education sectors comes to Rs1.69bn.
The highest number of projects approved by CDWP related to the Higher Education Commission.
The meeting approved strengthening and enhancement of academic provisions in the Faculty of Life and Environment Sciences, University of Peshawar worth Rs547.21 million.
A development project for the University of Balochistan, Quetta at the cost of Rs1.09bn with foreign exchange component of Rs571.073m was also approved.
Establishment and upgrading of ‘Core Engineering Department’ in Mardan Campus of the University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar at the cost of Rs1.4bn was approved with foreign exchange component of Rs763.48m.
CDWP clears procurement of 58 diesel electric locomotives at a cost of Rs16bn
The development working party also approved strengthening of academic and research programme of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro at the cost of Rs927.15m with foreign exchange component of Rs358.62m.
In the water resources sector, CDWP approved the feasibility study of Akhori Dam project at the cost of Rs286.86m. Construction of Sanam dam project in district Lower Dir was also approved. The project would benefit the backward district of Lower Dir by catering the water supply needs for drinking and irrigation purposes. The project would cost Rs944.67m.
In transport and communication sector, the CDWP approved construction of a fish landing jetty and allied Harbour Works at Surbandar Eastbay Gwadar at the cost Rs1.65bn. It also approved the construction of fish landing Jetty and allied harbour works at Pishukan Eastbay Gwadar at the cost of Rs1.87bn The CDWP approved a project of the Ministry of Railway for upgrading of terminal facilities at dry port at the cost of Rs1.02bn.
In the physical planning and housing sector, CDWP approved construction of a complex for National Highways and Motorway Police at Rahim Yar Khan at the cost of Rs113.09m. It also approved construction of residential and non-residential buildings for Force HQ GB Scouts and 112 Wing at Skardu at the cost of Rs237.217m.
CDWP approved concept clearance proposal of the establishment of cardiac care centre at PIMS, Islamabad at the cost of Rs393.24m. It also approved concept clearance for the establishment of Central Asian Regional Economic Corporation University in Islamabad.
Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2016