Eight projects worth Rs20b approved by government

Police integrated command and control centre on the cads for DG Khan

LAHORE: The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) approved eight development schemes of various sectors at an estimated cost of Rs19.81 billion.

These schemes were approved in the 14th meeting of the PDWP in the current fiscal year 2019-20. The moot was presided over by Planning and Development (P&D) Board Chairman Habibur Rehman Gilani on Tuesday.

P&D Board Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch, members of the board, provincial secretaries of departments concerned and other senior representatives attended the meeting.

The approved development schemes included the Punjab Police Integrated Command, Control and Communication Centre (PPIC3) in DG Khan at a cost of Rs2.81 billion, Plan9 Regional Centres for Rs646.27 million and Land Record Services at Qanungoi for Rs2.21 billion.

The PPIC3 project aims to modernise the infrastructure, systems and capabilities of the police to proactively manage the security situation. It also aims to professionalise response to incidents by moving towards directed and mission-focused deployment of resources.

As per the concept paper, made available to The Express Tribune, the project will bring together the innovative concept of operations (ConOps) and quality-focused business processes with an integrated technical solution.

The aim is to provide an operational solution that can offer modern technology and process infrastructure for real-time information and intelligence gathering to facilitate field commanders making evidence-based decisions in operationally critical situations.

The project will have the ability to provide access and share information within the Punjabp Police and external agencies to ensure seamless service delivery to the public with timely and effective response.

It will ensure the availability of information and intelligence for informed decisions with a priority on the allocation of the most appropriate resources in response to calls for assistance.

The project aims to ensure high-quality emergency response systems to residents and visitors to Punjab, besides delivery of flexible operational systems that can evolve and expand with evolving needs. The design and implementation of a consolidated PPIC3 organisational operating model is optimised for cross agency coordination, communication and effectiveness of public safety and emergency services delivery.

The PPIC3 programme will help the Punjab police address the escalating crime situation and increase security for citizens. It will also enable the Punjab government to achieve its stated aim of improved security.

The programme includes a range of systems and technologies, including CAD  (Computer  Assisted  Dispatch)  System, ACD (Automatic Call Distribution) System, GIS  (Geographic  Information)  System, ICP  (Integrated  Communications  Platform), CCTV   (Close   Circuit   Television)   System, Crime System; ANPR  (Automatic  Number  Plate  Recognition)  System, Gazetteer, a  database  of  geographical  information that  shall  be  used  to  assist  in  event  planning  and  responses  to  civil emergencies, Resource Management System; AVLS  (Automatic  Vehicle  Location  System); APLS (Automatic Personal Location System); Analytics Systems; Management  System, DRC  (Disaster  Recovery  Centre), JTMS  (Journey  Time  Monitoring)  System, RLMS   (Red   Light   Monitoring   System); E Challan Integration, VMS  (Variable  Message  System); Specialist Vehicles, UAV  (Unmanned  Aerial  Vehicle) and MDT  (Mobile  Data  Terminals).

Other projects in the pipeline were Promotion of High Value Agriculture through Solarisation of Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Systems at Rs3.75 billion, Rehabilitation/Improvement of Adiala Road from Gorakhpur to Jarrar Camp Morr, I/C Link to Ladain via Jarrar Camp and Sangral Village at Rs672.29 million.

Other roads to be ‘rehabilitated were Vanike Tarrar to Hafizabad Road, including Hafizabad Bypass Road, at a cost of Rs486.07 million. Additional projects on the cards are the Multi-Sector Nutrition Centre Program at a cost of Rs380.13 million and the establishment of Tertiary Care Hospital (Nishtar-II) in Multan at a cost of Rs8.84 billion.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2019.