ECNEC approves projects worth over Rs 440 billion

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved projects in various sectors worth over Rs 440 billion.

The meeting of the committee was chaired by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

The committee considered and approved the ‘Simplification of Planning Commission/ Planning Division Development Processes and procedure to improve Project Management’ for reforms.

According to the new procedures, there are reforms in six areas including project identification and preparation of PC-I; processing and approval of PC-I; project management and staffing; opening of project assignment account; procedure for release of funds, and monitoring and evaluation.

ECNEC also approved the Locust Emergency and Food Security Project for which the World Bank would provide $200 million.

The project of Indus Highway N-55 Additional Carriageway Project (Shikarpur-Rajanpur section) was also approved by ECNEC. The project will be completed at the total cost of Rs.44.704 billion, while the Asian Development Bank will share Rs.40.233 billion of the cost.

The project will be completed in three years and envisages the construction of additional two lanes and widening and rehabilitation of the existing road. The National Highway Authority (NHA) would be responsible for the execution, operation and maintenance of the project.

The construction of Rajanpur-DG Khan Section of N-55 as a four-lane highway at length of 121.50 km was approved by ECNEC at a cost of Rs.33.172 billion with ADB share of Rs. 28.528 billion.

The project will be completed in three years by NHA. The project road starts from Rajanpur and passes through Fazilpur, Muhammad Pur Dewan, Jampur and terminates at Dera Ghazi Khan.

Dualisation and rehabilitation of DG Khan- DI Khan Section of N-55 (208.19 Km) was also approved by ECNEC at the total rationalized cost of Rs.52.276 billion with ADB share of Rs. 44.958 billion.

The project will be completed in three years by NHA. The project road starts from DG Khan then passes through Shah Sadar Din, Kala, Shahdan Lund, Taunsa, Tibi Qasrani, Mahra, Paroa and terminates at DI Khan.

Rehabilitation and up-gradation of 79.890-km, Jhaljao- Bela Road at a cost of Rs.11.118 billion was approved by ECNEC. The project will be completed in three years by NHA.

The project road starts from Jhaljao and terminates at Bela, District Awaran. The completion of the project will save travel time for commuters. It will also contribute to ensuring efficient movement of goods and traffic in a relatively shorter time.

The meeting also approved Peshawar Northern Bypass Project-32.2 Km at the second revised cost of Rs 21.338 billion. The project envisages construction of 32.20 km, 4-lane bypass with service roads on either side, on the northern side of Peshawar city.

Construction of 157 MW Madian Hydropower project, District Swat, under the World Bank assisted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower and Renewable Energy Development Program was also approved by ECNEC at the total cost of Rs.79.375 billion.

The construction of 88 MW Gabral Kalam hydropower Project at an estimated cost of Rs.36.43 billion including FEC of Rs. 8.815 billion was approved by ECNEC.

ECNEC also approved the evacuation of power from 2160 MW Dasu HPP stage-I Dasu to Islamabad via Mansehra at the total cost of Rs.132.25 billion. The project is expected to complete in five years will be financed by the World Bank.