Projects include Lahore-Sialkot motorway (Rs 45.3 billion), procurement of 75 diesel electric locomotives (Rs 45.5 billion), Balochistan-integrated water resource development project (Rs 22.1 billion), Lowari tunnel project (Rs 26.8 billion), renovation of N-45 (Rs 17.4 billion), installation of ship lift and transfer system to provide docking and repair facilities to surface ships, submarines and commercial vessels at Karachi shipyard (Rs 9.5 billion)
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Monday approved seven mega projects of highways, irrigation and communications worth Rs 200 billion.
The approved projects include Lahore-Sialkot motorway (Rs 45.3 billion), procurement of 75 diesel engine locomotives (Rs 45.5 billion), Balochistan-integrated water resource development project (Rs 22.1 billion), Lowari tunnel project (Rs 26.8 billion), improvement of N-45 (Rs 17.4 billion), installation of ship lift and transfer system to provide docking and repair facilities to surface ships, submarines and commercial vessels at Karachi shipyard (Rs 9.5 billion).
Chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the ECNEC meeting approved construction of Lahore-Sialkot motorway at a cost of Rs 45.3 billion. The project, to be completed in 27 months (from September 2016 to December 2018), envisages construction of four-lanes access controlled 89 kilometres long motorway, with 0.6 m New Jersey Barrier as median with allied facilities. The project will be operated on a BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis.
The committee also accorded approval to procurement of 75 diesel electric locomotives at a cost of Rs 45.5 billion with foreign assistance of Rs 31.7 billion. These will be completely built units (CBU) used for operation in freight/ passenger operations.
The ECNEC also approved Balochistan Integrated Water Resource Management and Development Project (BIWRMDP) at an updated cost of Rs 22.1 million. This project is highly important as it is located on Nari and Porali river basins. The project will cover almost one-fourth of the Balochistan area and will provide multiple benefits to the people of Balochistan such as, clean drinking water, reduction in risk of floods, less erosion, more fuel wood, more fodder for livestock and saving endangered forests for mangroves and juniper as well as enhanced agriculture productivity. The project will meet Balochistan’s vital requirements like hydro-meteorological installations, flood protection works and institutional capacity building. The project cost also includes $ 200 million as foreign aid from the IDA. The project will be completed in a period of six years.
The ECNEC also gave approval to the Lowari Road Tunnel and Access Road Project at a revised cost of Rs 26.8 million. The project is expected to complete by October 2017. The revision of cost is the result of the increase in the scope of work of the project which includes the increase in the width of the tunnel from 6 metres to 7.5 metres with a clear height of 5 metres.
The scope of work also includes provision of ventilation and electrical works for road tunnel, construction of platforms, operational buildings along with allied facilities, installations and equipment for snow clearing. The National Highways Authority (NHA) will be the executing authority for the project.
The “Improvement and Widening of N-45 (130.22 KM) Project” also got a go-ahead from the ECNEC with a revised cost of Rs 17.4 billion. The project is located at Chakdara, Timergara, Akhagram, Dir Kalkatak and Chitral. Both the Lowari Tunnel project and N-45 project will prove to be a strategic asset for Pakistan. These will go a long way in development of the area and providing better facilities to the public.
Another project in KP which was approved by the National Economic Council’s committee is construction of 59.1 kilometres long Burhan Havelian Expressway (E-35) at a revised PC cost of Rs 34.1 billion. The project is likely to be completed by September 2017. The cost of the project has been revised due to addition of a third lane on either side of the ongoing project for construction of 59.1 km limited access controlled four lane divided facility/motorway with service roads on either side along a new alignment with allied structures/facilities.
The revised project is being funded through Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan of $200 million. The ADB also agreed to provide the remaining amount of the loan for additional scope of work.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister Muzafar Said, who attended the meeting, thanked the federal government and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for expediting work on the projects which he said were of vital importance for the province.
Also, the meeting approved “installation of ship lift and transfer system and associated machinery and equipment to provide docking and repair facilities to surface ships, submarines and commercial vessels” at the Karachi Shipyard at a revised and rationalised cost of Rs 9.5 billion, including a foreign aid of Rs 3.6 billion.
The facility will cater to commercial vessels of up to 7,781 tonnes of dead weight net lifting capacity along with establishment of 13 fully equipped repair stations. The project is currently in progress and will be completed by September 2017.
