The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved development projects worth Rs 579 B. The meeting of ECNEC was presided over by Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh. Karachi Red line BRT project was approved for construction during the meeting at a cost of Rs 78.384. Under the project a dedicated corridor of 24.2 km from Numaish to Malir Halt Depot will be developed along with a common corridor of 2.4 km. The meeting was informed that the project would increase quality of public transport, shift motor vehicle users to public transport and reduce traffic congestion in the city.
Out of the total 26.6 km length of corridor, 22.45 km would be at grade section, 1.72 km would be elevated and 2.43 km would be underground section, the meeting was further informed. The project also includes construction of 29 bus stations, 8 off-corridor routes, including direct and feeder services, procurement of 199 buses using bio-methane gas from cattle waste as fuel and comprising three types 9m, 12m and 18m, provision of ITS equipment and security systems and allied equipment’s.
The ECNEC also approved Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme Phase-1, up-scaling of Green Pakistan Programme, at a cost of Rs 125.184 billion for plantation of 3.30 billion saplings including 10 % fruit trees across Pakistan to promote eco-tourism, conserve and develop forests and increase income of local people from the sale of forest products.
The ECNEC also approved 500 KV HVDC transmission system between Tajikistan and Pakistan for Central Asia-South Asia Transmission Interconnection (CASA-1000) project at a cost of Rs 46.804 billion to provide reliable and uninterrupted power supply to consumers and export any surplus power to other countries.
In order to improve water resources and quality of sewerage system in Karachi, the ECNEC also approved Karachi Water & Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) Phase-I at a cost of US $105.21 million (Rs 16.708 billion). The project will facilitate and improve the capacity of Karachi Water & Sewerage Board in the provision of improved water and sanitation services to the residents of Karachi and carry out routine functions of operation and management of infrastructure and facilities.
The ECNEC also granted approval to a project for interconnection of isolated Gwadar/Makran area with national grid system of the country with estimated cost of Rs 17.421 billion to provide adequate facilities for reliable and stable supply of power to the Gwadar area.
The ECNEC also approved a proposal for revision of sanctioning powers of ECNEC for considering projects costing over Rs 10 billion and CDWP for projects from Rs 3 billion to Rs 10 billion.
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