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CDWP okays nine projects in various sectors

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) here on Wednesday cleared nine projects for implementation in agriculture, transport, communication, water and health sectors.

The meeting was held under Planning Secretary Fazlullah Qureshi and examined 16 development projects costing Rs. 8 billion. Five projects were withdrawn by the sponsoring agencies and would be considered in next meeting of the party.

In agriculture sector, the project entitled, "Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation of Fisherman in Cyclone Affected Areas of Sindh" costing Rs. 211.22 million with foreign exchange component of Rs 210.720 million was cleared.

In Water Sector, two projects entitled Construction of Gandially Dam Project (Distt. Kohat) and Engineering Studies Evaluation of Geotechnical, Hydrological, Environmental and Seismological regarding raising Mangla Dam by 40 ft, Phase-I were passed.

The CDWP also cleared five railway projects of rehabilitation of 36 Nos GMU 30 diesel electric locomotive, conversion of single unit power generation vans into double unit power generation vans, bridge rehabilitation works (Phase-I), replacement of mechanical gear in big yards/wayside stations and replacement of underground cables and batteries; and providing electric lighting in signals and stations on Lodhran-Khanewal-Sahiwal station and other station costing Rs. 7,460.900 million with foreign exchange component of Rs. 257.128 million. The locomotives replacement programme will extend their useful life by another 15 years and provide an income of Rs. 42 million to railways.

It also recommended one project sponsored by the Special Communication Organisation (SCO) for installation of telephones in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, costing Rs. 509.410 million with foreign exchange component of Rs. 243.020 million.

Besides, the CDWP gave concept clearance to three projects one each from education, health and water sectors namely; feasibility study for implementation of Tarbela Action Plan to preserve live storage reservoir; in-country training programme "safe management of new borne infant" for children hospital, PIMS, Islamabad and installation of Language Laboratory System National Institute of Modern Languages under the Japanese cultural grant-in-aid.

The sponsoring agencies of these projects have been given green signal for having negotiations with the donors.