ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the construction of Hyderabad- Sukkur motorway at the revised PC-1 cost of Rs 191.471 billion.
The 306 kilometers six-lane divided, fenced motorway would be constructed on Built Operate Transfer (BOT) basis–user-charge basis with provision of capital and operational VGF to improve financial viability of the project.
The ECNEC meeting held here under the chairmanship of Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin was informed that the project was expected to be completed in 30 months.
ECNEC also considered the summary for procurement of 600 flat container bogie wagons and forwarded the proposal to Public-Private Partnership board to develop a transaction structure on PPP basis.
Gomal Zam project
Meanwhile, the ECNEC also approved the Gomal Zam Multipurpose Project (2nd Revised PC-I) at the total cost of Rs 25.928 billion. The forum also granted the approval of the expenditures and financial closure of the project by relaxing the decision of the earlier meeting of ECNEC held on August 28, 2013.
The project is located on the Gomal River in South Waziristan to harness floodwater and provide an assured water supply of 848 cusecs to irrigate 191,139 acres of land including 28,053 acres additional land which falls under the Waran Canal System.
The project would also generate 17.4 MW of electricity. WAPDA will be responsible for the execution and implementation arrangement of the Project.
COVID-19 response project
The COVID-19 Response and Other Natural Calamities Control Program (Sindh Component) was approved at the total cost of Rs 20.822 billion without any foreign exchange component.
The Department of Health, Sindh will be responsible for sponsoring and executing the program. The project will be completed on an equally shared financing basis by the Government of Sindh and the federal government through PSDP.
It is expected to be completed by the end of year 2023. The project envisages strengthening of provincial health system to effectively respond to the pandemic. ECNEC also decided that any escalation in the cost of the project will be borne by the provincial government.
Hydropower projects
ECNEC also gave approval to 30MW Hydro Power Project Ghowari (2nd revised) at the total cost of Rs 16.399 billion. Th project is located on the left bank of Shayok River near Ghowari village in District Ghanche in Gilgit Baltistan and is expected to be completed in four years.
The 20 MW Hydro Power Project Hazel, Gilgit was also approved by ECNEC at the revised PC-I cost of Rs 12.921 billion. The project will be executed by Water and Power Department, Gilgit Baltistan.
The ECNEC also approved the Rainee Canal Project (Phase-1: 110 KM), revised PC-I at the total cost of Rs 20.5338 billion. WAPDA is responsible for the execution of the project which will irrigate 412,400 acres in Phase I at a design discharge of 5500 cusecs in districts Kashmore, Ghotki, Sukkur and Khairpur.
Road construction projects
The construction of Hoshab–Awaran–Khuzdar Section of M-8 Project; Section 2: Awaran-Naal, length: 168 Km was also approved by ECNEC at the rationalized cost of Rs 32.244 billion. National Highway Authority will be responsible for executing the project.
The scope of work includes the construction of bridges, box culverts, retaining walls/ toe walls, shoulders, along with drainage and allied works. The project is expected to complete in 42 months.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Roads Rehabilitation Project was also approved by ECNEC at the revised PC-I cost of Rs 28.156 billion.
The revised PC-I of the project envisages rehabilitation of 274 km of the existing provincial highway network as compared to original scope of 214 km. It is expected that the project will complete by 2023.
The feasibility of Mardan-Swabi road was also approved by ECNEC at the revised PC-I cost of Rs 13.024 billion. Communication and Works Department through Pakhtunkwa Highways Authority will be the executing agency of the project expected to complete by 2022-2023.
