CDWP approves 90 projects worth Rs 305 billion

[Naveed Yaseen]

ISLAMABAD (November 20 2009): The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday approved/recommended 90 projects costing Rs 305 billion with foreign exchange component of Rs 76.5 billion. Out of total approved/recommended projects, 58 projects are of infrastructure sector worth Rs 275 billion and 32 of social sector costing Rs 29.7 billion. The CDWP recommended 27 projects to Ecnec for consideration/approval, each costing over Rs 1 billion.

The CDWP meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali. The meeting was attended by the sponsoring agencies and the representative of provincial governments and special areas. To control the suicide incidents and terrorism activities in federal capital, the CDWP approved a project of 'Safe City Islamabad' costing over Rs 10 billion to create an effective and adequate security framework by incorporating strategies preventing unauthorised access of vehicles and individuals entering the capital territory.

It will also help strengthen the law enforcement agencies and help them monitor and control situations for preventing eventualities. It will also help improve monitoring and surveillance system to monitor /record the movement of the unauthorised vehicles and individuals.

The mega projects belonging to Multan that included Bridge over River Chenab from Sendeelinwali (District T T Singh) to Mian Channu (District Khanewal) costing Rs 3500.0 million, Northern Bypass, Multan (Phase-II) costing Rs 2791 million and Dualisation of Multan Uch Road were deferred for want of additional information.

Energy Sector is the priority of the incumbent government; CDWP approved the projects of Nuclear Power Waste Chashma (NPWC), Long Term Operation of Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (LTOK), establishment of HDIP's Mega CNG stations, and National Compact Florescent Lamp Projects.

These projects will help reduce the acute shortage of power in country by adding additional electricity to national grid and save energy. Another project for the Enhancement of capacity of Pakistan Post, computerisation and automation at Pakistan Post and renovation of post offices was approved by the CDWP. The project is aimed at making this department more efficient, equipped with state of the art technology.

Pursuing the policy of women empowerment of the present government, the CDWP approved projects for the enhancement of the social status of the rural women in Sindh and AJK. The CDWP also approved projects relating to preservation and augmentation of water resources in the country.

These dual-purpose projects will help in irrigation as well as energy generation. Two projects for the restoration and preservation of the cultural heritage of Pakistan including Restoration and Preservation of Rohtas Fort Jhelum costing Rs 498 million and "Preservation and Restoration of Shahdara Complex of Monuments" costing Rs 461 million were approved by the CDWP.

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