The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved developmental projects worth Rs681bn. The meeting of ECNEC was presided over by Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.
On the proposals of Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, the Ecnec approved construction of 21-km long dedicated Yellow Bus Rapid Transit-BRT Corridor linking Landhi to Numaish to be executed by the government of Sindh at a cost of Rs 61.439 billion. The project to be funded mainly by the World Bank would cover a distance of 21 kms (17.6 km at grade and 3.4 km) and link Landhi to Numaish. The project would have 28 stations having facility of 268 buses and some 300,000 passengers would benefit from the corridor every day.
The committee also approved construction of Peshawar-Torkham Motorway Project as component-1 of Khyber Pass Economic Corridor (KPEC) at a rationalized cost of Rs 36.705 billion (US $231.10 million). The project would have World Bank’s share of Rs 34.503 billion (US $217.24 million) based on preliminary design while the firmed-up cost of the project would be available after the receipt of bids on design-build-operate to be developed by the Planning Commission.
The Ecnec further approved a project for Interlinking of 220 kV Daharki, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur and Chishtian grid stations for improvement of power supply system in southern areas at an updated cost of Rs 15.795 billion, including Foreign Exchange Component of Rs 9.800 billion, to provide reliable and uninterrupted power to consumers. The project would improve the reliability and uninterrupted power supply to HESCO and MEPCO areas while the interlinking of RY Khan grid station to Daharki through 220kV transmission line would provide backup link among Multan, Guddu and Shikarpur while the proposed line from RY Khan to Bahawalpur and in/out of Vehari-Chishtian 220 kV single circuit transmission line would provide additional source of supply to 220 kV Bahawalpur and Chishtian grid stations.
Among other projects, the ECNEC approved construction of a four-lane 18.98 km long (with embankment for 6 lanes) Expressway on East Bay of Gwadar Port at a cost of Rs 17.369 billion with a foreign exchange component of Rs 16.435 billion to link Gwadar Port with the Makran Coastal Highway as well as with Gwadar Free Zone and future container terminals.
The project would also have one interchange and four bridges, four pedestrian overhead bridges along with cross-drainage structures and allied works.
The Ecnec also accorded approval to Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-1); Revision of Cost for Land Acquisition and Built-up Property at a total cost of Rs 510.980 billion, including Rs 36.914 billion for land cost, and directed the Planning, Development & Reform Division to issue authorization of the revised cost of land acquisition and built-up property of Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-1)
