8 projects of around Rs154.5 billion worth for health, energy, communication and education sectors approved in a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
The ECNEC under the chair of Ishaq Dar approved “Renewable Energy Development Sector Investment Programme (REDSIP)” (2nd revised PC I) at an estimated cost of Rs15.794 billion including Rs4.865 billion Foreign Exchange Component (FEC). The project envisages construction of three hydropower projects with total capacity of 56.2MW, including 36.6MW Daral Khawar Hydropower project (HPP), 17MW Ranolia HPP and 2.6MW Machai HPP. Three feasibility studies of Koto HPP (31MW), Jabori HPP (8MW) and Karora HPP (9.8MW) will also be carried out, besides capacity building of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO).
The meeting chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar considered and approved the Prime Minister’s National Health Program (Revised), which will be implemented in 34 districts all over Pakistan at a rationalized cost of Rs8.179 billion, likely to be completed in 36 months. The insurance cover under the program would be limited to Rs50, 000 per family per annum for secondary care treatment and Rs250, 000 per family per annum for priority treatment.
The meeting also approved 1410MW Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project at a revised cost of Rs82.361 billion with implementation period of 48 months (2017-2021). The meeting also okayed installation of three additional power generating units with installed capacity of 470MW each on existing Tunnel-5. The total installed capacity of Tarbela Dam after completion of Tarbela 5th extension will increase to 6298MW.
The ECNEC also gave final approval for dualisation and improvement of Mandra-Chakwal Road Project (64-km) revised at the total cost of Rs9.332 billion. The in principle approval of the project was given on 8th March 2016 for improvement/ rehabilitation of 64-km existing road to a width of 7.3m (2-lanes carriageway), construction of additional 7.3m wide road (2-lanes carriageway) provision of 7.3m wide and 14.5-km Chakwal Northern bypass, a railway flyover with allied structures and facilities.
The meeting approved the proposal of Balochistan government to change the executing agency for the construction/ up-gradation of Dirgi Shabozai (N-70) to Taunsa Sharif (N-55) Road (175-km) project from Balochistan Development Authority to Communications and Works Department, Government of Balochistan. The project was approved on 13-9-2013 at the total cost of Rs4.795 billion and envisages the construction/ up-gradation of 6.1m wide and 155-km long road, besides widening of 20-km long section from 3.65m width and allied facilities between Dirgi-Shabozai on N-70 leading to Taunsa Sharif on N-55 with the cost being shared by the federal and provincial governments in 60:40 ratio.
The ECNEC also approved construction of 6-lane highway from Kala Shah Kaku to Lahore Ring Road (18.30-km) including bridge over River Ravi (Lahore Eastern Bypass) at the total cost of Rs12.848 billion.
The scope of work also includes construction of 6-lane bridge over River Ravi spanning 800m, 2 bridges over railway crossings, 4 bridges on drains/ nullahs, 5 underpasses, 3 interchanges, 17 cattle creeps, 12 culverts, drainage, erosion and flood protection works. The executing agency for the project will be the National Highway Authority. The project will be completed in a period of 24 months starting from October 2016.
The meeting approved the “Technology Park Development Project-Islamabad” at the total cost of Rs9.246 billion.
The ECNEC also approved “Faculty Development Programme for Pakistani Universities” at the rationalised cost of Rs7.142 billion. The programme is expected to be completed by December 2024. Under the project, 2,000 Split PhD scholarships will be offered to non-PhD faculty members already inducted in the public sector universities/ degree awarding institutes (DAIs). Scholars will start their initial research in Pakistan and at any point during research they would be required to proceed abroad for a maximum period of 6-12 months with the recommendation of the local supervisor and acceptance by the foreign supervisor for the research work.
