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ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved Rs474 billion for the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam to help the country tackle two major issues—water shortage and power generation.
The Ecnec meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, approved the much-awaited funding for the project. The delay was due to reluctance from international financial institutions and China. The project is expected to complete in five years.
As per proposed plan, the dam will have a 6.4 million acre foot (MAF) live storage capacity and installed power capacity of 4,500 MW. After completion, the project will increase national water storage capacity of Pakistan from 38 days to 45 days and will enhance life span on downstream reservoirs including Tarbela Dam.
Regarding funding, the government will provide fund from the budget and Wapda will arrange commercial financing. A sizable amount will be allocated in the upcoming budget for the construction of the dam.
Past governments in 17 years had performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the project but civil work was not initiated due to lack of funding.
Ecnec also approved a rationalised cost of Rs2.998bn for Gwadar-Lasbela Livelihoods Support Project to reduce poverty in the two districts of Balochistan. This project comprises of major initiatives including community development, fisheries development and rural infrastructure improvement.
It also approved evacuation of power from 1,320MW RLNG Power Plant near Trimmu, Jhang at a total rationalised cost of Rs4.231bn.
The Access to Justice Programme was accorded approval at a total rationalised cost of Rs4.711bn. The ongoing project aims at implementing legislative, judicial, police and administrative reforms with construction of required physical infrastructure including office buildings across the country.
The meeting also approved replacement of old and obsolete Signal Gear from Lodhran-Multan-Khanewal-Shahdara Bagh Main Line Section of Pakistan Railways at a total cost of Rs18.346bn. The scope of work of this project also includes remodelling of Yousafwala Railway station and upgradation of 24 unmanned railway level crossings into manned level crossings.
Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2018
