Sindh allocates Rs228b for Annual Development Programme
Projects include drinking water facilities, underpasses and flyovers in Karachi
The National Economic Council (NEC) had approved Rs675 billion worth of PSDP but later the government increased its size to Rs701 billion due to a higher share for the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
The Sindh government has allocated Rs228 billion for the development budget of fiscal year 2019-20. The projects include mega drinking water facilities, underpasses and flyover projects in Karachi, ferry service at Sukkur and development of Keenjhar Lake for tourists, WiFi facility in Umerkot and installation of security cameras at worship places of minorities across the province.
The development budget under the head of Annual Development Programme (ADP) is lower by Rs54 billion, or 19%, compared to Rs282 billion allocated for such projects for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, according to budget documents.
The drop in fresh allocation is seen after the provincial government faced hardship in completing the projects due to stuck funds with the federal government, according to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who also holds the portfolio of Sindh finance minister.
The situation compelled the Sindh government to revise the development budget by a hefty Rs152 billion, or 54%, to Rs130 billion in the outgoing fiscal year compared to the originally allocated Rs282 billion for the year.
Karachi projects
The provincial government has allocated a total Rs6.51 billion for Karachi under ADP. The government has announced completing 13 mega projects in the city the next year and to initiate seven new projects in the years to come.
The projects, which would get completed this year include replacement of existing damaged 12-inch diameter water pipeline with 16-inch diameter and enhancement pumping machinery at UC-4 Metroville Pumping Station and providing an eight-inch diameter water supply line from Hazara Chowk to Al Wajid Town; and providing and laying a 24-inch diameter MS pipeline from Habib Bank to Pump No 3 for the improvement of power supply to Baldia Town.
The projects also include construction of flyover at Tipu Sultan Road intersection, underpass at Hyder Ali Road intersection and underpass at Tariq Road intersection along Shaheed-e-Millat Road; rehabilitation and improvement of Karachi Zoo, construction of underpass at Submarine Chowrangi, U-Turn at Natha Khan Bridge, widening and re-construction of Stadium Road from University Road to Rashid Minhas Road, and rehabilitation and improvement of roads in surrounding area of Lea Market, Lyari South, Karachi.
Ferry service at Keenjhar Lake
The government also plans to complete the project of providing ferry service at Sukkur and Keenjhar Lake to facilitate tourists by end of the next fiscal year 2019-20.
The government has set aside Rs60.33 million for the projects out of the total of Rs1.94 billion allocated for culture, tourism and antiquities department under ADP for FY20.
The other such projects include development of summer resorts at Gorakh Hills in Dadu district, establishment of motels, improvement and renovation of existing motels and resorts at Sehwan, Thatta and Umerkot, and missing allied facilities in motels at Hawksbay Karachi.
The government would also construct an auditorium, a rest house and main entrance gate at Dargah Hazrat Zardar Ahmed Shah Lakyari Taluka Saeedabad, Matiari district; establish Amjad Sabri Institute of Sufi Music and Qawalli in Karachi; construct public library with auditorium in Kunri District Umkerkot; preserve and conserve tomb of Jam Nizamuddin in Makli Necropolis in Thatta.
Security cameras
The government has allocated Rs70 million for the installation of security surveillance cameras at worship places of minorities across Sindh in the next fiscal year. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs400 million. The project is targeted to be completed over the next two years by June 2021. The government has also allocated Rs18.75 million for Information and Telecommunication and WiFi Facilitation Centre at Umerkot. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs75 million. The project is yet to be approved by the government and is targeted to be completed over the next two years; by June 2021.
Lining of main canals
The government has allocated a whopping Rs10 billion for completion of four ongoing lining of main canals projects during the next fiscal year 2019-20 and another such project by June 2021. The projects include lining of channels in Nara Canal Area Water Board, Mirpukhas; C. C. Lining of Hadeki Distry, Kahi Qasim Minor, Khadar Distry and Thull branch; C. C. lining Nauabad Distry in N. Feroze and Maldasi Minor in Matiari.
Besides, the government has allocated over Rs5 billion for lining of main canals across the Sindh province over the next two years by June 2021.
Human rights
Besides, the government has allocated Rs22.21 million for three human rights projects for Karachi, Dadau, Larkano, Ghotki, Jacobabad and Sukkuk.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2019.
The Sindh government has allocated Rs228 billion for the development budget of fiscal year 2019-20. The projects include mega drinking water facilities, underpasses and flyover projects in Karachi, ferry service at Sukkur and development of Keenjhar Lake for tourists, WiFi facility in Umerkot and installation of security cameras at worship places of minorities across the province.
The development budget under the head of Annual Development Programme (ADP) is lower by Rs54 billion, or 19%, compared to Rs282 billion allocated for such projects for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, according to budget documents.
The drop in fresh allocation is seen after the provincial government faced hardship in completing the projects due to stuck funds with the federal government, according to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who also holds the portfolio of Sindh finance minister.
The situation compelled the Sindh government to revise the development budget by a hefty Rs152 billion, or 54%, to Rs130 billion in the outgoing fiscal year compared to the originally allocated Rs282 billion for the year.
Karachi projects
The provincial government has allocated a total Rs6.51 billion for Karachi under ADP. The government has announced completing 13 mega projects in the city the next year and to initiate seven new projects in the years to come.
The projects, which would get completed this year include replacement of existing damaged 12-inch diameter water pipeline with 16-inch diameter and enhancement pumping machinery at UC-4 Metroville Pumping Station and providing an eight-inch diameter water supply line from Hazara Chowk to Al Wajid Town; and providing and laying a 24-inch diameter MS pipeline from Habib Bank to Pump No 3 for the improvement of power supply to Baldia Town.
The projects also include construction of flyover at Tipu Sultan Road intersection, underpass at Hyder Ali Road intersection and underpass at Tariq Road intersection along Shaheed-e-Millat Road; rehabilitation and improvement of Karachi Zoo, construction of underpass at Submarine Chowrangi, U-Turn at Natha Khan Bridge, widening and re-construction of Stadium Road from University Road to Rashid Minhas Road, and rehabilitation and improvement of roads in surrounding area of Lea Market, Lyari South, Karachi.
Ferry service at Keenjhar Lake
The government also plans to complete the project of providing ferry service at Sukkur and Keenjhar Lake to facilitate tourists by end of the next fiscal year 2019-20.
The government has set aside Rs60.33 million for the projects out of the total of Rs1.94 billion allocated for culture, tourism and antiquities department under ADP for FY20.
The other such projects include development of summer resorts at Gorakh Hills in Dadu district, establishment of motels, improvement and renovation of existing motels and resorts at Sehwan, Thatta and Umerkot, and missing allied facilities in motels at Hawksbay Karachi.
The government would also construct an auditorium, a rest house and main entrance gate at Dargah Hazrat Zardar Ahmed Shah Lakyari Taluka Saeedabad, Matiari district; establish Amjad Sabri Institute of Sufi Music and Qawalli in Karachi; construct public library with auditorium in Kunri District Umkerkot; preserve and conserve tomb of Jam Nizamuddin in Makli Necropolis in Thatta.
Security cameras
The government has allocated Rs70 million for the installation of security surveillance cameras at worship places of minorities across Sindh in the next fiscal year. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs400 million. The project is targeted to be completed over the next two years by June 2021. The government has also allocated Rs18.75 million for Information and Telecommunication and WiFi Facilitation Centre at Umerkot. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs75 million. The project is yet to be approved by the government and is targeted to be completed over the next two years; by June 2021.
Lining of main canals
The government has allocated a whopping Rs10 billion for completion of four ongoing lining of main canals projects during the next fiscal year 2019-20 and another such project by June 2021. The projects include lining of channels in Nara Canal Area Water Board, Mirpukhas; C. C. Lining of Hadeki Distry, Kahi Qasim Minor, Khadar Distry and Thull branch; C. C. lining Nauabad Distry in N. Feroze and Maldasi Minor in Matiari.
Besides, the government has allocated over Rs5 billion for lining of main canals across the Sindh province over the next two years by June 2021.
Human rights
Besides, the government has allocated Rs22.21 million for three human rights projects for Karachi, Dadau, Larkano, Ghotki, Jacobabad and Sukkuk.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2019.