Pak allocates PR 1.21-bn to finish Gwadar Ports projects

Islamabad: The government will spend Rs 1.219 billion from next year budget for development of Gwadar deep-sea port, including deepening of the channel and construction of road network linking with main highways.


The country's multi-billion rupees project is already embroiling in controversies, as its inauguration - scheduled for June this year - has been delayed further till December. The major reason behind the inordinate delay is non-completion of civil works, including road and rail linkages with the port.


According to public sector development programme 2006-07 for shipping sector, Rs. 1.2 billion would be spent on completion of the on-going projects and Rs. 19.9 million has been allocated for new development projects.


Though there is no foreign loan involved in the new projects, the government will take Rs 500 million loan for the deepening of the channel of Gwadar port worth Rs 1 billion.


Moreover, Rs 200 million would be spent on linking East bay Expressway with the national road network and acquisition of land for the project to make the linkages possible.


Two new development projects include establishing project management unit at a cost of Rs 14.9 million and development of the internal roads, water supply, drainage and the related amenities for the industrial estate at Gwadar to the tune of Rs 5 million.


These projects have been included in the PSDP 2006-07.