Infrastructure and developmental projects Initiated by Present Government

Posted by Info Zone on 09:09:00 in Economic | 1 comment

Large-scale infrastructure development projects play a pivotal role in boosting the economy.  Such projects act as guarantors of economic and social wellbeing while boosting employment, reducing cost of accessing markets, providing means of improved opportunities, and ensuring the provision of basic services at the grassroots level.

The transport infrastructure can contribute towards poverty reduction, economic growth and inclusive social development.NHA is following the vision of the prime minister in developing infrastructure projects through private sector on Build Own Operate (BOO) and Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis.


For the first time in the history of Pakistan, three BOT projects costing Rs 91 billion have been awarded which will generate Rs366 billion over the concession period.

In Pakistan, roads are the prime source of the transport system, accounting for the bulk of national passenger traffic and freight movement. The increasing trend in road traffic, both passenger and freight, dictates much faster development of the road network. Accordingly, the PSDP allocation to NHA was raised from Rs.50 billion in 2011-12 to Rs.112 billion in 2014-15.

Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir were being connected through a network of high-quality roads and highways, which would help accelerate the process of socio-economic development in the country. 

PML-N Government road-Connectivity Projects:

Roads and highways are an integral part of the transport system. The more efficient the road network of country is, the maximum are its economic and social benefits.

Realizing the significant role in achieving national development and contributing to the overall performance and social functioning of the society, the PML-N government has accorded the highest priority to the construction of efficient roads and highways

During the last two and half years, the details of projects are as under:

Construction of Karachi – Hyderabad Motorway (M-9) – 136 Km

Hoshab- Basima – Sorab Road (454 Km)

Khuzdar-Ratodero Road (143 Km)

Gwadar -Turbat-Hoshab Road (193 Km

Rehabilitate/improve 336 km flood affected roads.

Hazara Motorway (E-35)

In addition, the following achievements are worth mentioning:

Presently NH&MP is policing on 2,732 kms of the Motorways to ensure and impart road safety education, and to provide instant help to motorists in distress.

Besides, the NHA has numerous new projects in the pipeline to construct about1,274 km roads worth Rs. 878 million

Karachi-Hyderabad motorway, The M-9 which connects Karachi to Hyderabad is going to be 136 Km long with 16 exits and is going to cost about Rs. 24 Billion. The Project was inaugurated on MAR 16, 2015and it is expected to be completed within 2.5 years. The M-9 will later be linked to the Karachi-Lahore and Karachi-Gawadar motorways to constitute the longest tract in the motorway network.

Motorway E-35 (Burhan-Havelian) was inaugurated at November 29, 2014. This road link is part of Pakistan-China Economic Corridor agreement. The 60 km long expressway will reduce the drive time from Islamabad to Havelian to just 30 minutes. Also, it will facilitate the Havelian Dry Port project.

Sialkot-Lahore Motorway Project was inaugurated by PM Nawaz Sharif on Mar 21, 2015. project began from Saahowala-Sambrial and lead to Lahore along the banks of two local main canals namely Marala-Ravi-Link (MR Link )Canal through Motra-Daska and Bambaanwala-Ravi-Baidian (BRB) Canal Daska.

Signal-free corridor of Islamabad Highway inaugurated on June 30, 2015 envisages conversion of 24-kilometre Expressway from Zero Point to GT Road Rawat, besides addition of lanes to ease traffic congestion. In the first phase, a four-kilometer portion from Zero Point to Faizabad would be completed at a cost of Rs 1.6 billion. An overhead bridge would be constructed at Shakarparian Chowk to give signal-free access to travellers.

Work on Karachi-Hyderabad motorway and Khanewal-Lahore motorway will soon be completed without compromising on the issues of transparency and international standards.

Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad Motorway is being planned to be converted from existing four lanes into a six-lane motorway. A good road may be built to connect Okara and Bahawalpur with Karachi-Lahore motorway.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated second section of the M4 motorway which will stretch from Faisalabad to Multan upon completion.

The M4 motorway is divided into four segments: the 58km Faisalabad-Gojra section, which has already been opened for traffic; the 62km Gojra-Shorkot section, is expected to be completed by 2019; the 64km Shorkot-Dinpur section and the 45km Khanewal-Multan section.

Road Connectivity projects under CPEC:

The Corridor project comprises modern highway and railway transportation system; linking Kashgar in West China, to Khunjrab in the north and onwards to Karachi and Gawadar in the south of Pakistan through multiple routes

Chinese government concessional loans for the second phase up gradation of Karakorum Highway (Havelian to Thakot),

Karachi-Lahore Motorway (Multan to Sukur),

Gwadar Port East Bay Expressway Project and Gwadar International Airport

Education:

The government was establishing new public universities, upgrading the private universities as well as improving relations with foreign varsities, while Higher Education Commission (HEC) initiated various Ph.D. and other scholarship programmes to enhance quality of education in Pakistan.

The PML (N) is committed to increase the budgetary allocation for education to 4% of GDP by 2018 (as per UNESCO target) as against the dismally low 2.6% of GDP spent on education by successive governments. In consultation with the provinces it is working on initiating a legislation to provide a roadmap for achieving 80% enrolment up to the middle level and 80% universal literacy.

There are also plans to reform the curricula and upgrading the existing educational institutions. Setting up of Danish schools in Punjab, institution of Education Endowment Funds in all the provinces, award of scholarships to needy students for higher education are indicative of the commitment of the government to bring a revolution in education sector in the country.

As part of prime minister’s educational reforms scheme 422 schools of Islamabad are being revamped. The project is spear-headed by Maryam Nawaz, a lady known for her impeccable knack for excellence and commitment to the cause of education. She has already accomplished the revamping 22 schools in Islamabad in a short span of time and the work on rest of schools is likely to be completed by the end of the year.

Energy:

Energy situation is quite satisfactory as compared to when the government assumed power. Nearly 3000MW of electricity have been added to the system and new plans to generate 21000MW of electricity have already been initiated and some of these projects are scheduled to become operative during 2017-18 ending the current energy crisis.Out of this projected production, 10640MW will be produced through projects under CPEC with Chinese investment.

The government is also striving to change the energy production mix with greater emphasis on coal-based power generating units and the ones based on hydel power and renewable energy that will facilitate production of power on cheaper rates.

 The government has recently signed LNG deal with Qatar and prospects of IP gas pipeline becoming a reality in the near future have also re-emerged with the lifting of sanctions against Iran by US, UN and Pakistan. These are all verifiable facts and even the die-hard critics of the government and its political opponents cannot challenge their veracity.