CWDP clears four development projects worth Rs 126.2b
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has cleared four development projects worth Rs 126.2 billion during its meeting held on Thursday under the Deputy Chairmanship of Planning Commission, Dr Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan. The meeting was attended by Secretary Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Chief Economist, Members Planning Commission and representatives from the various ministries.
The forum has recommended Thar Coal Rail Connectivity with existing Railway Network project including last mile connectivity with Port Qasim worth Rs 55.97b to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The Ministry of Railway is the sponsoring agency of the project. The main objective of the project is to connect Thar Coal mines and Port Qasim with Railway through New Rail Links and is aligned with sectoral objectives of the Vision 2025 by providing bulk transportation facilities according to the requirement of the growing economy. The project envisages construction of 105-Kilometer long new single line Railway Track infrastructure from Thar Coal Mines to New Chhor Station and Construction of 18-kilometre long Double Line Track which includes 4.20-kilometre-long loop lines from Bin Qasim to Port Qasim.
The project has been designed to provide reliable and efficient railway infrastructure to break the geographical barriers of Thar coal and enable its transportation across the country and to provide an environmentally friendly mode of coal transportation. If transported through railway, the environmental pollution will be minimal besides reducing traffic congestion on roads.
The project to enable utilization of indigenous Thar coal to bring import bill in line with the pillar of Pakistan Vision 2025 and enable expansion of Thar coal to rationalize fuel cost thus bringing reduction in the cost of production of electricity besides ensuring uplift of local populace of Tharparkar through generation of royalty and job creation.
The coal demand in Pakistan is mainly driven by two major sectors, i.e., Power Sector and Cement industry. The demand of coal will further increase due to upcoming capacity additions in both the Power and Cement sector. With successful commercial operation of indigenous coal power plants in Thar coal fields, it is imperative that growing coal demand should be met through Thar coal to displace imported coal. Such initiatives have already been noticed where upcoming coal-based power capacity addition is being designed on Thar coal.
The forum also recommended the Construction of New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) 3rd revised to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) worth 60.208b. The 3rd Revised Project PC-I envisages construction of NGIA along with allied facilities over a piece of land already acquired measuring 4,300 acres (Airside: 2,730-acres Landside: 1,570-acres).
The forum has cleared the Improvement / Widening of SperaRagha Road from Khanozai Cross to Loralai Killa Saifullah, worth Rs 6.121b. The government of Balochistan is the sponsoring agency of the project. The revised project envisages improvement and widening of 92.5-kilometer long existing single lane road to two lane facility having existing width of 3.65-meter to 7.3-meter and 2.43-meter wide shoulders on either side, from Khanozai (N-50) cross to Loralai – killa Saifullah (N-70). The project road will connect National Highway (N-50) with National Highway (N-70). After completion, the project will serve as the main route to connect the Central Cities of Northern Balochistan to Southern Punjab. Presently the road is single lane and is in very bad condition and can’t be used for mobility. The locals and transporters are facing many difficulties. After completion improvement/widening of SperaRagha Road from Khanozai cross to Loralai Killa Saifullah is proposed as the traffic volume on this road has been increased. This road is connecting Northern Balochistan with Punjab Province.
The forum also cleared the Special Repair of 600 Passenger Coaches and 1200 Bogies Wagons worth Rs 3.95b. The objective of this project is to procure essentially required imported/locally manufactured spares and to carry-out special repair, heavy repair, defend maintenance of stabled 600 coaches & 1200 bogie wagons comprising 227 Air Conditioned Passenger Coaches with latest facilities.
Editor: Raja Kamran