ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: The second meeting of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Saturday okayed 28 projects with a total outlay of around Rs193 billion including the foreign exchange component of over Rs58 billion.

These projects will meet development needs of the country, create better infrastructure, provide job opportunities and increase industrial and economic activity in different parts of the country.

Speaking at a press conference, Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz emphasized the need for speedy implementation of the projects, better management, monitoring and timely release of funds.

Giving the sector-wise break-up of the projects, he said Ecnec approved Rs763.66 million for physical planning, Rs62,491.39 million for energy, Rs93,215.85 million for water, Rs23,291.11 million for communications, Rs4,146.49 million for education, Rs501.025 million for information technology, Rs1,500 million for governance, Rs4,999 million for rural uplift, Rs606.30 million for devaluation, Rs856.017 million for agriculture and Rs931.752 million for health.

The executive committee approved three projects relating to physical planning, seven energy projects, three projects in water sector, six projects in communication sector, two project each in education and health sectors and one each in the fields of information technology, governance, rural development, devolution and agriculture.

About the energy sector, he said a 18mw hydro-electric power station at Naltar, Gilgit, was approved at a total cost of Rs1,360.21 million with the foreign exchange component of Rs1220.894 million.

A Karachi-based project, he said, would undertake studies to evaluate the impact of energy sector reconstruction programme of residential and commercial customers. The studies include poverty impact assessment and labour impact assessment.

He said the meeting approved 300mw Chashma Nuclear Power Project-Unit-II at a total cost of Rs42,630 million with the foreign exchange component of Rs22,663 million. The project will have a gross capacity of 325mw to help increase energy supply to the country.

Ecnec also approved interconnection of NTDC-KESC 500/230kv at a total cost of Rs3,089.86 million with the foreign exchange component of Rs1,749.50 million.

The project envisages interconnection of the Hub power plant with the Karachi electricity supply system through 500kv and 220kv transmission lines and grid stations which will substantially improve power supply to Karachi and its suburbs.

He said Ecnec also approved feasibility studies, detailed design and preparation of tender documents for the Dasu hydro power project at a total cost of Rs796.87 million with the foreign exchange component of Rs100 million. Located at River Indus, the Dasu hydro power project would increase hydropower generation in the country.

Ecnec approved Rs13,698 million with the foreign exchange component of Rs450 million for the KESC network system improvement and reduction in transmission and distribution losses project. The project would restore generation capacity of the Bin Qasim thermal power plant by 105mw, Korangi thermal power station by 20mw and site gas turbine power station by 80mw.

It also envisages upgradation of existing 66kv transmission lines and grid stations to 132kv. Eight new grid stations, interconnecting the Hub power plant with the KESC would also be constructed, he told journalists.

COMMUNICATION: About communication sector, the minister said Ecnec approved laying of an optical fibre cable with a transmission system between Mansehra and Gilgit. The project would cost Rs286 million. It would provide improved telecommunication facilities to the Northern Areas and meet growing demands of new connections.