The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) will consider projects worth around Rs1,800 billion, including the Basha Hydropower Project power generation component today (Saturday), it is learned reliably here.
Most of the projects of the 22-point agenda are likely to be incorporated in the upcoming Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), as the government has relaxed the rule for the entry of the new projects in PSDP, an official source told.
It is worth mentioning here that earlier the deadline for the submission of the PC-I for inclusion in the PSDP was March 31; however, the rule was relaxed by the incumbent government for incorporating new projects into the PSDP at a belated stage.
On May 31, 2022, the Ministry of Planning has issued directives saying it is “to convey that the Prime Minister of Pakistan being the Chairman, National Economic Council (NEC) has been pleased to grant a one-time special dispensation for relaxation in the deadline set by NEC i.e. 31th March 2022 for facilitating the submission of PC-I/PC-II of new projects to the Planning Commission for inclusion in PSDP 2022-23”.
Federal Sponsoring Ministries/Divisions can upload new projects on IPAS for the next fiscal year. This may also be disseminated to all attached/administrative departments under relevant controlling ministries/divisions, said the letter.
The major projects in the 22 points agenda are: Diamir Basha Dam Project, Power Generation Facility worth Rs933.347 billion, 500kV Arifwala Substation costing Rs8.457 billion, 500kV Sialkot Substation Rs25.430 billion,addition augmentation of 500kV and 220kV transformers at the existing grid stations for removal of NTDC system constraints Rs11.976 billion, up-gradation existing 220kV Vehari Substation to 500kV Vehari Substation costing Rs13.418 billion, establishment of 40MW Dowarian Hydro Power Project district Neelum Valley Rs9.396 billion, establishment of 48MW Shounter Hydropower Project Rs11.274 billion, establishment of Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq Shaheed Medical College Muzaffarabad costing Rs3.245 billion, provision of medical equipment for Seven PAEC Cancer Hospital costing Rs1.698 billion, construction of 20 small dams in KP costing Rs1.128 billion, feasibility study and acquisition of land for establishment of Islamabad Model Special Economic Zone Rs9.665 billion, PM special package to implement skills for all strategy as catalyst for TVET Sector Development Programme worth Rs9.880 billion, gravity-based safe drinking water supply system in Havelian Abbottabad KP Rs3.336 billion, Greater Water Supply Scheme for Central Hunza from Attabad Lake Rs1.220 billion.
Two concept clearance proposals are also on the agenda including the Revamping of non-teaching DHQ hospitals in KP and associated result-based lending of $100 million and the establishment of a partnership between the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation and the Government of Pakistan to address grand challenges in the health sector.