ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Friday approved a coal-conveying system from Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT) to the railway network at Port Qasim.

The project will cost Rs13.33 billion according to revised estimates submitted by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping.

During the meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Ecnec approved a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Communications for the construction of motorway from Buran/Hakla on M-1 to Dera Ismail Khan, on the western route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), at a rationalised cost of Rs124.21bn.

The Ministry of Communications informed the meeting that the route for the motorway was as per the joint declaration issued after an all-party conference. Another proposal by the ministry regarding land acquisition, affected properties compensation and relocation of utilities for construction of the Burhan/Hakia to D.I. Khan motorway was also considered at the rationalised cost of Rs11.97bn.

Ecnec approved the two projects, subject to formal confirmation of the route being in accordance with the understanding contained in the joint declaration.

The committee also gave the nod to another proposal of the ports ministry for the construction of bridge across River Indus connecting Larkana and Khairpur districts with approach roads and river training works at a revised cost of Rs13.397bn.

Kaitu Weir irrigation and power project of Kurram Tangi Dam in Spinwam area of North Waziristan was also approved at a rationalised cost of Rs21.059bn.

The executive committee also approved a proposal of the Ministry of Communications for construction of Black Top Road Yakmach-Kharan via Distain Wadh Khurmagai in Balochistan at a firmed-up cost of Rs13.76bn.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2016