ISLAMABAD: Executive Committee of the National Economic Council in its meeting approved important proposals relating to energy and communication. Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting.
At the outset proposal from Ministry of Water and Power on evacuation of power from 1200 megawatt, RLNG based combined Cycle Power Plant at Balloki, was discussed at length.
The chair while according approval to the proposal at a rationalized cost of Rs 3433.90 million including FEC of Rs 2030.48 million, remarked that possibility of foreign funding by IBRD may be explored for this project. He also observed that arrangements for foreign funding must be made well in advance for all projects requiring the same to avoid any difficulty or delay in undertaking such projects. This project, the meeting was informed, aimed at evacuation of 1200MW power from proposed RLNG based combined cycle plant at Balloki in district Kasur to upcountry load centres by construction of 500 KV transmission line (40 KM) from the plant to Lahore South Grid Station.
ECNEC discussed and approved Ministry of Water and Power’s proposal regarding Warsak Hydro Electric Power Station (2nd Rehabilitation) project at a rationalized cost of Rs. 22,254.230 million with FEC of Rs. 11,283.519 million. The rehabilitation works under phase–II would address the main existing problems of the Warsak site to enhance generation capacity from 193 MW (as of 2013) to actual 243 MW.
Another proposal from the Ministry of Water and Power regarding construction of Basol Dam, 54 KM North of Ormara Town, Gawadar was also approved. The total cost of the project is Rs. 9,636 million without FEC, with cost sharing (on equal basis) by the federal and provincial governments of the water supply and conveyance system amounting to Rs 2,795.68 million. The main objective of the project is to provide irrigation water to an area of 11,638 acres through efficient pipeline conveyance system. Under the project construction of a network of lined water courses in the command area of the dam will be carried out. Further the project would ensure water supplies to population of Ormara town and it’s surrounding as well as Jinnah Naval Base.
Government of KPK’s proposal on detailed design and construction of 69 MW Lawi Hydro Power Project, Chitral was approved by ECNEC after detailed deliberations. The project would cost a total of Rs 20,087.50 million with FEC of RS 4,146.34 million. The project would supply cheaper electricity to the people of Drosh and Chitral valleys constructing 69 MW Lawi hydropower station on Shishi river, a left bank tributary of Chitral river. The unused power will be transmitted to National Grid, the meeting was apprised.
Government of AJandK’s proposal on Flood 2014 Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project was approved at a reviewed total estimated cost of Rs. 6,641.00 million including FEC of RS 5,976.90 million as ADB loan. The project envisages re-construction and rehabilitation of 234 KM length of damaged roads due to flash folds of 2014 in various districts of AJandK.
ECNEC considered and approved the Disaster and Climate Resilience Improvement Project (DCRIP) in Punjab province. The total cost of the project is 10,240 million (100 percent credit financing of World Bank). The project is aimed at social and economic recovery of flood affected areas through the restoration and reconstruction of critical infrastructure to safer standards. The project has been conceived to build capacity of Punjab Government in the domain of disaster and climate change prevention and management.
The proposal of Government of Punjab for Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project (ADB assisted) was approved by ECNEC at a total cost of Rs 17.690 billion including Rs 15.921 billion ADB loan. The Government of Punjab shall have a share of Rs 1769.162 million. The project aims at economic and social recovery of flood affected areas through the restoration and reconstruction of critical infrastructure to safer standards.
ECNEC discussed the proposal regarding Revised Lyari Expressway project. The chair observed that this project was of paramount importance and needed due attention of all the concerned authorities for its completion. The Chair directed Ministry of Planning and Development, representative of Sindh Government and M/o Communication to remove all impediments hindering the Expressway project, and present report to the ECNEC at its next meeting.
