PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday directed government departments to prepare PC-Is of mega development projects reflected in current public sector development programme (PSDP) to share them with relevant forums for approval.

A statement issued here said that chairing a meeting regarding PSDP project, Mr Khan directed the authorities concerned to be in close contact with relevant federal forums to ensure progress on development projects including Peshawar Dera Ismail Khan Motorway and Chashma Right Lift Bank Canal (CRBC).

Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan and other senior officials were present in the meeting.

The meeting was informed that a total of 138 development projects in different sectors were reflected in current PSDP while Rs149 billion had been allocated for those schemes in the current budget.

The statement said that a total of Rs62 billion was released till December 2020 while Rs34.1 billion was utilised so far which was 55 per cent of the released amount.

The meeting was informed that PC-I of Peshawar Dera Ismail Khan Motorway project was approved by the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) and it was forwarded to Central Development Working Party (CDWP) for final approval.

Regarding the Khyber Institute of Child Health and Children Hospital, the meeting was told that 85 per cent of civil work was completed on the project. The chief minister termed the project of vital importance and directed the relevant authorities to complete it on priority basis.

The meeting was also informed that package-1 of Peshawar Northern Bypass was completed whereas land procurement process was underway for package-2 of the project which would be completed within next 15 days and the scheme would be completed by December 2021.

The meeting was informed that a total of 41 development projects were proposed to federal government for inclusion in next PSDP that included construction of Dir Motorway, Swabi Bypass Road, Mastuj Baroghal Road, construction of Barwasa Dam in Haripur, Sadozai Dam in Hangu, solarisation of 300 water schemes and other important schemes.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2021