Projects worth Rs538bn approved

[wiqi21]

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Wednesday approved Rs538.5 billion worth of 10 development projects for implementation, including the Rs165 billion Orange Line Metro Train Project for Lahore.

Chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the Ecnec also cleared a package of five projects for Pakistan Railways (PR) involving a total estimated cost of Rs122.95 billion. PR would will bear the entire cost from its next year’s development programme funds.

The overall project cost would also include a Rs257.5 billion foreign exchange component.

Officials said the Punjab government had already signed an agreement with China, during the recent visit by President Xi Jinping, for the construction of a 27.1km dedicated signal free corridor for the metro train mass transit system in Lahore. The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) would act as the executing agency for the mega project, which is slated to be completed in 27 months.

The track will be capable of accommodating two trains running simultaneously on both sides with a capacity of transporting 30,000 passengers per hour. The Punjab government would finance the project from its own resources with a loan from the Chinese government’s China EXIM Bank, but without federal government support.

The project is expected to involve a substantial subsidy from the provincial government to meet its operational costs as its own revenue would not be sufficient. The track would start from Ali Town, passing through Thokar Niaz Baig, Bund Road, Chauburji, Anarkali, Lakshmi Chowk, Railway Station, University of Engineering and Technology, Shalimar Gardens, Islam Park and will terminate at Dera Gujran.

The meeting also approved a Rs9.102 billion project of the Ministry of National Health Services – the PM’s National Health Insurance Programme. A large number of families from the poorest segments in 23 districts of all the provinces will be covered under this health insurance scheme.

An estimated premium of Rs2,000 per family annually is proposed for secondary care with addition of Rs500 per family annually for priority treatment. A secondary hospitalisation component including maternity benefits and day care admissions will be limited to Rs50,000 per family per year, provided within the provincial Annual Development Plans except in Fata, Gilgit, AJK and ICT and is proposed to be provided through the federal PSDP.

Another Rs26.942 project of the National Health Services Ministry was also approved for extension of Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI), Control of Diarrhoea Diseases (CDD) for another year. This will also involve a foreign exchange component of Rs14.195 billion. The project aims at promoting prevention of nine diseases (vaccine preventable diseases) and will benefit all regions of the country including Fata, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Ecnec also approved, in principle, two projects proposed by the Ministry of Water and Power for combined cycle power plants of 1,000-1,200MW each; one at Haveli Bahadur Shah, District Jhang at an estimated cost of Rs90.032 billion including foreign investment of Rs76.255 billion; and, the second at Balloki, District Kasur at an estimated cost of Rs88.054.09 million including foreign investment of Rs76.255 billion.

The meeting also approved a Rs13 billion project for the evacuation of power from 1,320 MW imported coal-based Power Plant at Bin Qasim Karachi. This also included a foreign exchange component of Rs7.022 billion. The project will be implemented in four years by construction of 500 kv transmission, 180 km line from the proposed power plant to Matiari.

The Ecnec also approved a project of Sindh’s Health Department for establishment of Child Health Care Institute, Sukkur at a total cost of Rs4.81 billion including FEC of Rs4.646 billion. The project completed in 36 months.

Another project Necessary Facilities of Fresh Water Treatment, Water Supply & Distribution Gwadar, a project of Pakistan China Economic Corridor was also approved at a total cost of Rs11.204 billion. It is expected to be completes in 36 months.

The meeting also approved a proposal of the Ministry of Communication for construction of Amri Kazi Ahmad bridge over River Indus (between Hyderabad Bypass & Dadu Moro Bridge) connecting N-5 with N-55 at total cost of Rs7.2 billion. The project would be financed through the federal public sector development programme.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2015

Projects worth Rs538bn approved - Newspaper - DAWN.COM

 

[Arsalan]

The investment in power sector, the combine cycle power plants of 1,000-1,200MW each; one at Haveli Bahadur Shah, District Jhang at an estimated cost of Rs90.032 billion including foreign investment of Rs76.255 billion; and, the second at Balloki, District Kasur at an estimated cost of Rs88.054.09 million including foreign investment of Rs76.255 billion are commendable. While the wont address the water shortage problem still the electricity genration is need of the hour as well and this will address that at least to some extent. I ope some good dam projects proceed further from MoU and ground breaking stages now and some actual work starts. From what i have studied, i think we have 4 5 years only to start a project (as it will take further 6 to 7 years to complete) before Water becomes a much larger problem then electricity.

The Child health care program, the health insurance program are also great step forward. The medical sector needs some serious attention in all of Pakistan and it is good that government is trying to improve the situation there.

The Metro train however is a waste, at least considering our current financial position. Germany have EXCELLENT train service but just for your information the are producing over 750000 MW of electricity while we produce what?? 12000MW? 62 times less. There MUST BE SOME PRIORITY ORDER for even development. This is one thing this government is wrong about. These projects, while look good on paper are not economically feasible. We need to invest in projects that give something in return as of now so that the economy in strengthened. Invest in manufacturing industry, new technology, power sector, ports and harbors and access to them. A trade route connecting China to Arabian sea of Central Asian states to our sea ports is still a road but it will be generating much need foreign exchange, will develop industry etc compared to a Metro Bus Road or even Metro Train. Dry ports setup need to be improved. These are projects that do not make lot of noise but are good for the country in general. Now the decision to make is whether you think people are dumb and you need such products to get fame and votes or you think that people will understand and the priority is not next term selection but the country.
(Not on one point i have said that gov is not investing in these things but the point is that priority must b given to that, not the short sighted but lucrative things, that as per this above report, wont be able to reach its operational costs and thus instead f paying back will suck more money in shape so subsidy)
The point is, if we start working in right direction, improve the overall economy and financial position by investing in long term projects with potential return for years to come, these small projects will be taken up by private firms looking to invest in country and gov wont be paying more and more money as subsidy.

(yes i am a PTI supporter but not there relative, mammy ni lagty myry wo, i am a Pakistani, so if anyone of you doubt anything ONLY BECAUSE i am a PTI supporter and want to criticize it, feel free, you wont be having any reply from me)

 

[Qalandari]

All talk and nothing on ground.

The reality is that this government has broken all the records of external and internal debts (Tair-e-Lahooti gone down the drain).

Only 100 mw of electricity added to the system in last two years.

600 billion circular debt. Load shedding still on, worst summer ahead.

Trade deficit has widened to 17 billion dollars.

Worst health conditions in Punjab alone. 30 percent of babies die in Mianwali alone.

Karachi operation still not successful despite repeated chest thumping claims by the federal government.

No bullet train to be seen yet (election promise in 2013).

Etc etc etc.

Yeah now start the rhetorics PPP haters. Your time begins.

 

[Sheikh Rauf]

All talk and nothing on ground.

The reality is that this government has broken all the records of external and internal debts (Tair-e-Lahooti gone down the drain).

Only 100 mw of electricity added to the system in last two years.

600 billion circular debt. Load shedding still on, worst summer ahead.

Trade deficit has widened to 17 billion dollars.

Worst health conditions in Punjab alone. 30 percent of babies die in Mianwali alone.

Karachi operation still not successful despite repeated chest thumping claims by the federal government.

No bullet train to be seen yet (election promise in 2013).

Etc etc etc.

Yeah now start the rhetorics PPP haters. Your time begins.

Atleast they are talking what about zardari and zardari bhutto they arent even talking to each other

 

[Muhammad Omar]

All talk and nothing on ground.

The reality is that this government has broken all the records of external and internal debts (Tair-e-Lahooti gone down the drain).

Only 100 mw of electricity added to the system in last two years.

600 billion circular debt. Load shedding still on, worst summer ahead.

Trade deficit has widened to 17 billion dollars.

Worst health conditions in Punjab alone. 30 percent of babies die in Mianwali alone.

Karachi operation still not successful despite repeated chest thumping claims by the federal government.

No bullet train to be seen yet (election promise in 2013).

Etc etc etc.

Yeah now start the rhetorics PPP haters. Your time begins.

how many died in Thar alone?? and CM Mummy was organizing Festival instead of giving food and medicines to People of that... 60000 sacks stock of wheat gone waste in the go-downs in but not given to Thar people .... Atleast height of incompetence is Karachi is short of water and Sharjeel Memon was busy speaking against Zulfiqar Mirza... Is there any world class hospitals in upper and central Sindh?? Even education and health conditions in Sindh are worse then KPK

How many MW did PPP gov added in 5 years??? how many power plants did they build in those 5 years ?? wasn't there was any load shedding in PPP era?? wasn't there any gas load shedding in PPP era??

yes there's is no Bullet train as promised by the Gov but the train are not delay 19 hours like in PPP gov era Railway is not out of diesel stocks like in PPP era there were no freight trains running in PPP era there were only 70 engines left to operate the whole railway system

There is no Bullet train but there is Green Line train ready to be inaugurated on 15th May 2015 which will reach karachi from Islamabad Margalla Station in 22 hours there are now 270 + trains running on tracks
Every train reach on time

there was no operation in Karachi to counter the terrorism or target killing... Even lyari gang war on peak

the terrorism in whole Pakistan was on peak Frequent Bomb Blast in Pakistan
these are not chest thumping claim how come there are no more Bhatta news on Tv ?? how come target killing has reduced??

 

[AsifIjaz]

Qalandari...
i dont give a rats *** what you think or/and what you have to say. You are the typical person that i come across daily in my beloved sindh dharti who are willing to overlook and forgive Zardari and his clan of 40 chour just because of the fact that "saeen panjha te ahe" (saeeen, apna to hai na)

 

[HttpError]

All talk and nothing on ground.

The reality is that this government has broken all the records of external and internal debts (Tair-e-Lahooti gone down the drain).

Only 100 mw of electricity added to the system in last two years.

600 billion circular debt. Load shedding still on, worst summer ahead.

Trade deficit has widened to 17 billion dollars.

Worst health conditions in Punjab alone. 30 percent of babies die in Mianwali alone.

Karachi operation still not successful despite repeated chest thumping claims by the federal government.

No bullet train to be seen yet (election promise in 2013).

Etc etc etc.

Yeah now start the rhetorics PPP haters. Your time begins.

Oye PEE PEE PEE, please you take care of your Sindh and then don't cry or get jealous with Punjab's project. We are happy with our government and yes you will never win from Punjab ever again PPP has gone down the DRAIN.

 

[waleed3601]

All talk and nothing on ground.

The reality is that this government has broken all the records of external and internal debts (Tair-e-Lahooti gone down the drain).

Only 100 mw of electricity added to the system in last two years.

600 billion circular debt. Load shedding still on, worst summer ahead.

Trade deficit has widened to 17 billion dollars.

Worst health conditions in Punjab alone. 30 percent of babies die in Mianwali alone.

Karachi operation still not successful despite repeated chest thumping claims by the federal government.

No bullet train to be seen yet (election promise in 2013).

Etc etc etc.

Yeah now start the rhetorics PPP haters. Your time begins.

STFU. I'm PTI supporter but I'm not blind moron like you.
Appreciate the development this govt is doing, unlike PPP which did literally nothing in it's tenure and destroyed Pakistan inside out.