The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin (R) while Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira (L) briefed newsmen on the decisions taken. — Photo by APP/File
By Kalbe Ali
Friday, 04 Sep, 2009 | 05:06 AM PST |
Friday, 04 Sep, 2009 | 05:06 AM PST |
The projects relate to infrastructure, water and irrigation and railways, in addition to one for development of districts along the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir.
The committee at a meeting presided over by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin approved 10 small and medium dams, including Ghabir, Papin, Winder, Daraban and Pelar, which would cost Rs57.5 billion. It also approved the revised PC-1 of Satpara and Sabakzai dams which would cost Rs4.48 billion and Rs1.96 billion, respectively.
The meeting gave approval of Rs23.44 billion for upgrading the Khanki barrage near Wazirabad and Rs1.87 billion for rehabilitation of the left bank of Sukkur barrage.
Briefing newsmen on decisions taken at the meeting, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the dams would help meet the increasing demand for energy and irrigation water.
He said Rs800 million would be spent on water-related projects in Balochistan, Rs700 million in the NWFP and Rs500 million each in Sindh and Punjab.
The committee approved Rs15.9 billion for a rehabilitation package for the railways.
Sources said that before approving the package, which included administrative and technical reforms, the meeting took serious note of losses incurred by the department.
It also approved procurement of 202 coaches. The government has already given approval for the purchase of 75 locomotives.
The meeting was informed that after acquiring new coaches and engines, the operational revenue and commercial efficiency of railways would improve with increase in passenger traffic.
Railway ministry officials told the committee that new carriages would operate at a speed of up to 160 km per hour with reduced maintenance cost. Mr Kaira said that an overall restructuring plan was under way because the government wanted to make railways a viable and competitive entity.
Ecnec decided to launch the ‘Pyara Kashmir’ project at a cost of Rs10.72 billion in six districts of Azad Kashmir to improve the standard of life of people living along the LoC.
Social development packages and infrastructure projects are included in the project.
No comments:
Post a Comment