CDWP approves Rs 16.3 billion for 58 locomotives
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Monday approved procurement of 58 diesel and electric locomotives worth Rs16.3 billion by Pakistan Railways and recommended the project to ECNEC for final approval, while it deferred decision on the Right Bank Outfall Drain after Sindh and Balochistan expressed reservations on the project.
The meeting of the CDWP was chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal. The meeting approved eleven development projects worth Rs 10 billion including four higher education projects, water resources, transport and communication. The foreign exchange component of the approved projects totalled Rs1.69 billion.
Ahsan Iqbal directed that projects should be completed within the given time with approved cost and resources. He directed the Ministry of Water and Power to address concerns of Sindh and Balochistan on the RODB. He also directed integrating the three phases of RODB to sort out the pollution in the Mancher Lake.
The meeting was told that out of 465 locomotives of Pakistan Railways 300 were out of order. They have completed their life and the new locomotives are immediately required. A project for up-gradation of terminal facilities at the Dry Port at a cost of Rs 1.022 billion was also approved during the meeting.
The committee approved Rs 547.215 million for University of Peshawar to improve academics. It also approved development of University of Balochistan, Quetta project at a cost of Rs 1.096 billion with foreign exchange component (FEC) of Rs 571.073 million. The establishment of engineering department in Mardan campus of UET Peshawar at the cost of Rs 1.383 billion was approved with an FEC of Rs 763.485 million. It also approved strengthening of academics of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro with a cost of Rs 927.148 million with Rs 358.624 million in FEC.
In water resources sector CDWP approved feasibility study of Akhori Dam project at the cost of Rs 286.857 million. Construction of Sanam Dam project in District Lower Dir was also approved. The meeting approved construction of fish landing jetty and allied harbour works at Surbandar Eastbay Gwadar at the cost Rs 1.650 billion, while another fish landing jetty and related facilities were approved for Pishukan Eastbay Gwadar at the cost of Rs 1.869 billion.
The committee approved the construction of a complex for National Highways and Motorway Police at Rahim Yar Khan at the cost of Rs 113.093 million. It also approved construction of residential and non-residential buildings for Force HQ GB Scouts and 112 Wing at Skardu at the cost of Rs 237.217 million.
The CDWP approved the concept clearance proposal for establishment of Cardiac Care Centre at AIMS, Islamabad at the cost of Rs 393.238 million. It also approved concept clearance for the establishment of Central Asian Regional Economic Corporation (CAREC) University in Islamabad.
Railways to earn Rs 12b from freight trains
The Pakistan Railways will generate more than Rs 12 billion revenue through freight trains during the current financial year.
The organisation was hoping to cross the set revenue generation targets in freight sector this year, an official in the ministry of railways told APP.
“Fast Cargo” train would also run between Karachi to Rawalpindi to help generating more revenue, he added. “The Pakistan Railways had allocated around 85 to 90 locomotives for freight trains,” the official added.
He said 55 locomotives were scheduled to arrive soon from United States and would be attached with freight trains.
The Pakistan Railways during the financial year 2013-14 loaded 76,307 wagons against loading of 46,617 wagons in the corresponding period of year 2012-13, thus 29,619 more wagons were loaded in the year 2013-14, he said.
He said the earning from freight loading during 2013-14 was Rs 3.529 billion whereas during the corresponding period (2012-13) it was Rs 1.957 billion. The net increase in earning was Rs 1.572 billion with growth of 80.33 per cent in one year, he added.
The official said however freight loading during 2014-2015 was 176,155 wagons against loading of 76,307 wagons during 2013-2014. The earning from freight loading during 2014-2015 was Rs 8.346 billion against earning of Rs 3.529 billion during the corresponding period. The net increase in freight earning remained Rs 4.817 billion with growth of 136 per cent during year 2014-15.