PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday said the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC) project was of vital importance for the province’s food self-sufficiency.

Addressing a meeting regarding mega projects, the chief minister said food security was the need of the hour and the CRBC project would be executed at all costs.

He directed the relevant authorities to produce a report on all feasible options for the financing of the mega project, including making it part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor portfolio.

“Completion of the [CRBC] project will not only help the province become self-sufficient in agricultural production but will also create tremendous employment opportunities for the people,” he said.

The officials briefed participants about the progress on various mega projects, including Khyber Pass Economic Corridor, Rashakai Special Economic Zone, Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, Swat Motorway, Dir Motorway, CPEC City Nowshera, Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme, Hattar Special Economic Zone, CRBC, Insaf Rozgar Scheme, and construction of access roads for tourist places in Hazara and Malakand divisions.

Seeks report on canal project financing

They said PC-I of the PSDP project, Khyber Pass Economic Corridor, had been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, Phase-I of the Swat Motorway Project had been completed and opened to traffic, and PC-I for the acquisition of land for Phase-II of Swat Motorway was approved by the relevant forum.

The officials also informed the meeting about preparations for the ground-breaking of the Rashakai SEZ and said it was likely to happen by the end of next month.

They said over 700 applications had been received for the establishment of industries in the Rashakai SEZ, while PC-II for the feasibility and design of Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway had been approved by the relevant forum.

The officials said feasibility study for the Dir Motorway Project was under way.

They informed participants about progress on the Insaf Rozgar Scheme and said 97 per cent of the funds released for the project had been utilised.

The officials said work orders had been issued for the construction of 60 kilometers long five access roads to tourist places in Hazara division and the development of 35 kilometers roads to ensure the people’s easy access to the tourist spots in Malakand division.

They briefed the meeting about the progress on the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor and said feasibility study for the first component of the project development of the expressway was in progress.

The officials said the relevant authorities had taken up the matter regarding the ‘master planning of second component economic development’ with the World Bank.

The chief minister directed the authorities to make the establishment of the citizen facilitation centres at all divisional headquarters part of the project.

He said the completion of all mega projects on time was one of the top priorities of his government.

Mr Mahmood directed the departments to ensure the completion of mega projects within the stipulated timelines.

“Any unnecessary delay in the completion of these projects will not be tolerated and action will be taken against those responsible for it,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2020