ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Wednesday approved five projects, worth Rs141.93 billion, and referred two projects, worth Rs140.96 billion, to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further approval.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Planning Development and Reform Minister and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar. Planning Secretary Zafar Hasan, members and senior officials from the federal and provincial governments were also present on the occasion.
The projects presented for approval were related to agriculture and food, physical planning and housing, energy, transport and communications, health, information technology, and science & technology sectors. In addition, two position papers were also presented during the meetings.
In the agriculture and food section, a project titled ‘Upgradation of Arid Zone Research Centre (AZRC)’ and the establishment of an ‘Adaptive Research-Cum-Demonstration Institute’ were approved with Rs691.564 million by the CDWP. It was informed that the project would focus on poverty alleviation through the introduction of improved agricultural technologies in the rehabilitant environment of the project areas. The research centres would also strengthen the linkages with provincial and international research organisations.
In the physical planning and housing sector, CDWP referred the Lahore Water and Wastewater Management Project, worth Rs67,503.625 million, to ECNEC. The project envisaged the hiring of consultants to carry out activities of development, operation, and management of water/wastewater treatment infrastructure/facilities.
In the energy sector, a project of 220kV Head Faqirian Substation along with 220kV Double Circuit Transmission Lines from Head Faqirian to Ludewala was forwarded to ECNEC for approval. The Rs5504.87 million project aimed at improving the power supply system, including reliability and uninterrupted supply.
In the transport and communication section, CDWP referred the project of Peshawar Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit Corridor, worth Rs67,953 million, to ECNEC with an aim to ensure high-quality mass transit that would trigger urban development along the BRT corridor, thus improving economic growth besides giving access into the city.
Similarly, in the health sector, a project titled ‘Strengthening of Monitoring and Surveillance of Health Systems’ was authorised for approval by the CDWP. The project, worth Rs157.790 million, aimed at improving the access to health care services by providing facilities at the doorstep.
