Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved 9 development projects worth over Rs 295 billion including revival of Karachi Circular Railways (KCR).The Ecnec meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi approved financial inclusion and infrastructure project at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 14.318 billion.
The meeting also approved Balochistan Education Project (Revised) at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 3.57 billion aimed at increasing student enrolment with special emphasis on girls’ education through 31 districts of Balochistan.
The Ecnec approved 246km doubling of Railway Track from Khanewal to Raiwind (3rd revision at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 14.261 billion and revival of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 207.546 billion to be completed under the CPEC framework. The project includes construction of 24 stations and procurement of 162 locomotives. The project will serve commutation of 515,000 passengers per day upon completion.
Provincial Roads Rehabilitation Project by Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 17.103 billion was also approved by the Ecnec.
The Ecnec also approved construction of 4-Lane Bridge across River Indus linking Layyah with Taunsa, including a 2-Lane approach roads and River training works (24.272 km) at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 9.775 billion. The meeting directed NHA to work out a master-plan for future bridges to be constructed across the country.
The construction of Rathoa Haryam bridge and approaches across reservoir channel on Mirpur-Islamgarh Road (2nd revision) at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 6.48 billion was also approved by the Ecnec.
The remodeling of (revised) Warsak Canal System in Peshawar and Nowshera District project at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 11.137 billion on 50:50 cost sharing between Federal Government and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was also approved.
