CDWP approves 42 projects worth Rs. 107.2 billion.

ISLAMABAD, September 17, 2009 (Frontier Star): Central Development Working Party on Thursday approved 42 projects costing Rs. 107.2 billion including Foreign Aid Component of Rs. 10 billion. Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali chaired the CDWP meeting . The meeting was attended by the sponsoring agencies and the representative of Provincial Governments and Special Areas. Today the CDWP approved 42 projects costing Rs. 107.2 billion including Foreign Aid Component of Rs. 10 billion. Of the 42 projects, 27 projects in Infrastructure Sector costing Rs. 49.3 billion, 13 projects in Social Sector costing Rs. 57.6 billion. In addition 2 projects relating to Commerce and Industry costing Rs. 0.3 billion were approved today. To make up the deficiencies in energy sector Schemes like "Establishment of 132 KV Grid Station, Bajaur costing Rs. 453 million and Dargai Pall small Dam in South Waziristan Agency costing Rs. 313.232 million were approved today. These schemes will not only resolve the electricity problem of these areas but also generate employment opportunity for people of backward areas. CDWP authorized WAPDA to undertake feasibility study of Pattan Hydro Power Project. This project will generate 2800 MW of electricity. To improve the Transport Sector, Bridges across the River Indus Connecting Larkana & Khairpur, Linking Kandhkot located on the National Highway N-55 with Ghotki, & a bridge on River Ravi Kamalia Harrapa Rd. district Toba Tek Singh have been recommended to ECNEC at cost of Rs. 17.4 billion. Construction of these bridges will provide a better link in economically backward areas & reduce the distance between major towns. For rehabilitation of the damages in Swat & to improve the socio economic condition of the area through multi sectoral activities, i.e. provision of social infrastructure, the CDWP recommended Swat Development Package to ECNEC costing Rs.4 billion. This project would greatly help to resettle the IDPs and help generate economic activity in that area. Population Welfare Programme which is an on-going activity executed in all provinces, have been recommended to ECNEC for its further extension up to year 2014 costing Rs. 50 billion. CDWP however has set up a committee to make recommendations to devise a better delivery mechanism. The CDWP also considered 3 concept papers namely; Disaster Management Programme Sindh, Communication System for Coastal Management in Arabian Sea (JICA) & to increase the participation and reduce drop out of Girls Students at the Middle Schooling level in the rural of Sindh.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)