ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Wednesday cleared a total of seven development projects with a total cost of Rs57.78 billion.

At a CDWP meeting presided over by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, four development projects with a cumulative estimated cost of Rs12.25bn were approved.

Two other projects with a total cost of Rs33.43bn were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec). The meeting allowed extension in re-tendering of a Rs12.10bn hydropower project in Gilgit.

Under the financial rules in vogue, the CDWP is empowered to approve projects costing no more than Rs10bn. Projects with higher than Rs10bn estimated costs are approved by Ecnec once the CDWP clears them on technical grounds.

The meeting took up three energy sector projects. The Social Development of Harpo Valley & Strengthening of WPO (We are Pakistan Organisation) under the 34MW Hydropower Project was approved by the CDWP for Gilgit-Baltistan. The Rs255 million project involves procurement of machinery and tools for the Hydro-Electric Workshop at Sakrdu, community development work in the Harpo Valley and up-gradation of a dispensary and girls middle school in the area.

The 10MW Hydropower Project Hanzel Gilgit worth Rs12.11bn and extension in its re-tendering was also allowed by the CDWP. The Hanzel project — located along Gilgit river — aims to transmit energy to Gilgit town and surrounding areas via 132 kV transmission line for meeting power and energy requirements of the entire Gilgit district.

A project for the construction of 132 kV Grid Station and feeder at Kan Mehtarzai, Pishin in Balochistan from the existing 132 kV Muslim Bagh- Khanozai Transmission Line worth Rs263.46 million was also approved.

The meeting also approved the Women’s Income Growth and Self-Reliance Project with an estimated cost of Rs710m.

The project aims to establish a sustainable government for transition of extremely poor women toward sustainable livelihood and poverty reduction. Productive inclusion and economic empowerment of women are the main objectives of this initiative.

Three projects related to water resources were also presented to the CDWP. The Basol Dam Project worth Rs18.68bn was cleared and referred to the Ecnec for formal approval. Basol Dam is located at 54km in the North West of Omara Town, Gwadar district of Balochistan. The dam site is accessible through a 16km long jeep-track from Makran Coastal Highway and is located on Basol river.

The Balochistan Integrated Water Resources Management and Development Project worth Rs14.748bn was also referred to the Ecnec for approval.

The project is related to the issues of water scarcity, water augmentation, salinity, floods, increased poverty in backyard irrigated areas and institutional reforms.

The Water Sector Capacity Building and Advisory Services Project (WCAP) worth Rs4.594bn was approved by the CDWP.

The CDWP also approved two position papers and two concept clearance namely Gridlines Regarding Project Appraisal Document, Inclusion of Disability Friendly Checklist in project papers and construction of retaining wall along downstream right marginal bund of Guddo Barrage, Gaj Diversion Bund in Johi Diversion at Dadu and Punjab Resource Improvement and Digital Effectiveness Programme.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2020