Construction of Kuchlak-Zhob section worth Rs67.6bn gets green signal

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting on Thursday recommended to Executive Committee of National Council (ECNEC) for approval of ‘land acquisition of Kuchlak-Zhob section of N-50 worth Rs11342 million and construction of Kuchlak-Zhob section of N-50 worth Rs67638.46 million.

The CDWP meeting was held in Islamabad today with Federal Minister for Planning Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar in the chair.

According to a statement released from the ministry, the forum constituted a committee comprising stakeholders to confirm and rationalize the cost and scope of 305 km road project in two separate parts. The minister said that the previous government did not focus on developing western route adding that the present government attached priority to construction of western route and improving socio-economic condition of neglected areas.

Bakhtyar said that completion of project would contribute to smooth and efficient movement of goods and traffic in relatively shorter time.

Overall CDWP accorded approval of two projects worth Rs. 913 million and recommended three projects costing Rs 96 billion to ECNEC.

The meeting was also attended by Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, members and senior officials from federal and provincial governments. The projects presented for approval related to governance, physical planning, housing and transport and communication.

In energy sector, power division presented project ‘Interconnection of Isolated Gwadar,  Makran Area with National Grid System of Pakistan’ worth Rs. 17421.44 million which was referred to ECNEC.

Makhdum Khusro said that this is an important project for Gwadar development connecting southern remote region with the national grid. He highlighted that availability of electricity is one of the major hindrances in development of Gwadar.

The project is expected to be completed through QESCO in three years.