CDWP approves Rs36.2bn projects

ISLAMABAD: Amid increasing fiscal constraints, the caretaker government has continued its practice of approving more developmental projects, so the thrust forward is going to further mount in the months ahead.

The Planning Commission’s Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved projects with a cost of Rs36.2 billion.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Dr. Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan deliberated on vital development projects spanning diverse sectors, including physical planning and housing, transport and communication, and water resources.

Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, members of the Planning Commission, representatives from line ministries, provincial P&D departments, and officials from the Planning Ministry attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed a comprehensive overview of four significant projects, collectively valued at Rs36.219 billion. Among these, three projects received recommendations for further consideration by the executive committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), while one secured approval from the CDWP forum.

It is noteworthy that the CDWP accorded the highest priority to the post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives. Four projects were discussed under the Post-Flood 2022 Reconstruction Programme, namely “Resilience Enhancement and Livelihood Diversification in Balochistan (Public Health Engineering/Water Supply Infrastructure Sector),” with a total cost of Rs2,800 million, Resilience Enhancement and Livelihood Diversification in Balochistan (Road Infrastructure CW and PPHD), worth Rs13,809.544 million, Resilience Enhancement and Livelihood Diversification in Balochistan (Irrigation Infrastructure) worth Rs8,250 million, and Livelihood Interventions for the integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Programme (IFRAP) with a total cost of Rs11,360 million.

The post-flood 2022 reconstruction programme, emphasising resilience enhancement and livelihood diversification in Balochistan (road infrastructure CW&PPHD), with a total cost of Rs13,809.544 million was recommended to ECNEC. This project, funded by the World Bank, aims to strengthen transportation infrastructure by constructing resilient roads and bridges, significantly reducing travel time for the residents.

Additionally, another vital project of the programme --- the Livelihood Interventions for Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Programme (IFRAP) valued at Rs11,360 million --- was also recommended for further deliberation by the ECNEC. This project targets the uplifting of underdeveloped regions in Balochistan, encompassing various districts. It focuses on uplifting livelihoods through agricultural and livestock interventions while nurturing resilience against climate change and other adversities.

The initiative titled “Enhancement of Resilience and Diversification of Livelihoods in Balochistan (Irrigation Infrastructure),” totaling Rs8,250 million, received a recommendation for approval by the ECNEC. Financed through a World Bank loan, this project aims at rehabilitating flood-damaged infrastructure and establishing flood management structures within Balochistan, Pakistan.

The rehabilitation of water systems for irrigation within a command area spanning approximately 100,000 acres is the central objective of the project. The project’s implementation is expected to significantly enhance agricultural productivity, restrain economic losses caused by floods, and strengthen livelihoods and economic growth in the region.

The project namely “Resilience Enhancement and Livelihood Diversification in Balochistan (Public Health Engineering/Water Supply Infrastructure Sector)” with a total cost of Rs2,800 million was approved by the CDWP forum. The project aims at the rehabilitation and restoration of damaged schemes to enhance water supply to the inhabitants of different calamity-hit districts of Balochistan where most components of water schemes were damaged.

With three projects recommended for consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) and one project securing CDWP approval, the collective effort aims to revitalise infrastructure, enhance livelihoods, and fortify resilience against environmental adversities.