Company CEO says basic engineering work has been done.
PHOTO: FILE
He revealed this on Friday at a meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, which was held to review progress on the mining operation started by SECMC in Thar coal block-II for developing a power project, which would generate 660MW by 2019.
Briefing the chief minister, Shaikh said mining operation had started on a war footing as 6% progress had so far been achieved against the planned 5.3%.
“We have reached mining depth of 31 metres, big mining equipment will reach next month and drilling of de-watering wells and other infrastructure is in progress,” he said.
Chief Minister Shah urged the CEO to provide jobs to as many locals as possible and also create employment opportunities for women. At present, out of the 2,028 employees working on the project, 647 are Chinese, 997 belong to Thar and 384 from other areas.
The chief minister approved the setting up of a school over two acres of land near Thar Lodges, Islamkot so that local residents could receive proper education.
He also directed the inspector general of police to provide more security at the Thar coal field block-II for the Chinese engineers.
Home Secretary Riaz Memon informed the meeting participants that 35 Rangers personnel had been deployed for the security of foreigners working at the project site. In addition to these, 134 policemen have also been stationed there.
More police force would be deployed until the creation of a special force of 2,000 ex-army men for CPEC projects, Memon added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 3rd, 2016.
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