ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The groundbreaking of the Gwadar International Airport and Eastern Expressway projects besides facilities of fresh water supply and distribution would be performed this year.
“We have completed all the formalities in this regard while Chinese authorities are likely to complete their work soon to kick start these projects,” the official sources in the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms informed here.
In Gwadar component of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), Rs.4.7 billion had been allocated for Eastern Expressway, Rs.1.5 billion for New Gwadar International Airport and Rs.1 billion for necessary facilities of fresh water treatment, water supply and distribution etc.
The PC-1 of the Eastern Expressway had been approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on January 12, 2015 and it was a 19-KM six-lane expressway with two-way railway track.
The expressway would provide immediate and uninterrupted connectivity to Gwadar Port terminals with the Mehran Coastal Highway in the first phase and with New Gwadar International Airport in the second phase.
“An amount of Rs 13.543 billion would be funded through government of China’s confessional loan whereas Rs 0.519 billion would be arranged through local component”, the sources added.
For this project, Rs. 4.7 billion have been earmarked under this year’s PSDP.
The sources added that the Chinese Government had agreed to provide 100 per cent interest free loan for the project.
The selection of Chinese company was made through limited bidding under the G2G framework.
The sources informed, the Prime Minister had accorded approval for establishment of power station for ensuring smooth power supply to Gwadar and the work on this project would soon start.
The 100-MW power station would be run on dual fuel – oil and LNG, he added.
To resolve the issue of fresh water supply, a water treatment plant would be set up at Gwadar.
The sources said, the projects being completed under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would usher in a new era of development and prosperity in the province.
The Baloch youth would focus towards higher education after establishment of universities in Zhob, Turbat and Gwadar.
The vocational institutes had been set up to impart technical training to the youth in a bid to overcome unemployment.
Source: APP
