ECNEC Approves Mega Social Sector Development Projects

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 07th Nov, 2016 ) : Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) here Monday approved the project for construction and installation of 220 KV Mirpur Khas Substation along with associated transmission Lines (PC-1) at a rationalized total cost of Rs.

3,857.10 million including foreign exchange component (FEC) of Rs. 1,854.69 million. The project will complete in two year time and enable meeting the growing power demand of areas and improved voltage reliability.

The project will be financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The ECNEC met here with Finance Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar in chair also consider and approved several social sector developmental projects.

The meeting approved 500 kV HVAC transmission lines for interconnection of HVDC with HVAC System at Matiari and Lahore at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 4,805.70 million including FEC of Rs. 2,620.72 million.

It will be implemented in 2 years. The ECNEC also considered and approved the project of 220 KV Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob Double Circuit transmission line along with 220 KV Zhob Substation at a cost of Rs.

6,878.41 million, including FEC of Rs. 3,094.01 million, to be financed through ADB and will be completed by June 2018. The project for evacuation of power from 1320 MW imported coal based power plant at Hub" was approved at an updated total cost of Rs.

16,414.92 million including FEC of Rs. 7,875.70 million, subject to the condition that implementation of the project will be starting after achieving financial close of 1,320 MW power plant at Hub.

The project will be financed through International Financial Institutions. The meeting also considered and approved recommendations regarding the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project in second and fifth circles and new customer information and billing system for the entire company in LESCO and the advanced metering infrastructure project in Rawalpindi circle, Taxila Division, B-1 and B11 customers of entire company and New modern billing system for the entire company in IESCO.

These projects have already been approved by ECNEC in July 2016. In its meeting today, ECNEC approved the flexible use of technology in these projects depending upon the suitability of the distribution network of the respective DISCOs.

For the health sector, ECNEC considered and approved the expanded program on immunization Punjab (EPI) which aim at prevention of 9 vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs).

The immunization and vaccination services are being delivered through fixed and outreach centres for routine immunization as well as mobile vaccinators for house immunization and special campaigns.

The program has been approved at a total cost of Rs. 22,262.63 million including FEC of Rs. 3,815.96 million. The program will support immunization of children and pregnant mothers. In transport and communication sector, ECNEC approved the projects land acquisition, affected properties compensation and relocation of utilities for construction of Burhan-Hakla to D.I.

Khan motorway. The project envisages acquisition of 7,496 acres of land (59,969 kanals) for construction of 285 km 4-lanes expressway with a 100m wide Right of Way (RoW), as part of the western route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

ECNEC had already approved the project, in principle, at the rationalized scope and cost of Rs. 11,973 million without FEC subject to verification of the proposed route of the project from the Joint Declaration announced at the eve of the All Parties Conference held on 28 May, 2015.

The project for construction of motorway from Burhan to Hakla on M-1 to D.I. Khan was also approved by ECNEC. This project had already been approved by ECNEC, in principle, at the rationalized scope and cost of Rs.

110,208 million subject to the aforementioned condition of verification of the proposed route of the project. The ECNEC granted final approval to both the projects after ECNEC was informed that the condition of verification of proposed route has been met after consultation between the Federal Committee on CPEC and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Committee on CPEC.

ECNEC also considered and approved the project land acquisition, affected properties compensation and relocation of utilities for construction of 6-lan highway from Kala Shah Kaku to Lahore Ring Road including bridge over River Ravi (Lahore Eastern Bypass) at a total rationalized cost of Rs.

10,486.45 million with no FEC. The project envisages acquisition of 952 acres of land (7,617 kanals) for construction of 18.3 km long 6 lane dual carriageway with 100m Row from Kala Shah Kaku interchange to Lahore Ring Road at 500 m ahead of Mehmood Booti Junction including construction of a new bridge over River Ravi and other allied structures.