Gwadar master plan delay upsets Chinese

Say any extra cost thus arising to be borne by the government

QUETTA: Chinese companies have expressed their displeasure over delays in the approval of the Gwadar master plan of Smart city by the federal government despite passage of time, and warned that any extra cost due to delays in implementation will be borne by the Pakistan government.

The ‘Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan’ was prepared by two Chinese companies, China Communication Construction Company Limited and Fourth Harbor Engineering Investigation, at a cost of Rs521 million.

The companies started work on the project in 2017. It was completed in December 2018 and sent to the federal government for approval.



However, according to sources, the government has not yet taken any step so far for the approval of the plan, which is pending with the steering committee of the Planning and Development department for further decision.

The governing body of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) had already given approval of the plan for implementation.

“Chinese companies have expressed their reservation and displeasure over the delay in approving the plan by steering committee of the planning and development department.  They have warned that in case of increase in the cost of the plan, the government of Pakistan will be bound to pay the extra cost,” a senior official privy to the developments said on condition of anonymity.

According to the official, any further delay in approval of the plan implementation would also have an adverse impact on several development projects of GDA.