Although Works & Services Department has worked out a detailed plan, a comprehensive technical study will be carried out afresh as the Irrigation Minister says ‘his department has not been taken into confidence’.
Karachi
Sindh government has decided to construct a bridge on River Indus to provide a direct link between Khairpur Nathan Shah and Kandiaro to improve traffic flows between the two major cities and the surrounding areas.
The chief minister said that the Works & Services Department has worked out a detailed plan to provide a direct link between Khairpur Nathan Shah and Kandiaro by constructing a bridge over Indus River to improve traffic flows between the two major cities and surrounding areas, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said while presiding over a 34rth Public Private Partnership (PPP) meeting here at the CM House on Monday.
The Project will significantly reduce travel distance from Khairpur Nathan Shah to Kandiaro.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, Nasir Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Zia Abbas Shah, Advisor Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant Syed Qasim Naveed, MPA Ghulam Qadir Chandio, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Chairman P&D Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Finance, Secretary Local Government, DG PPP Unit, and others.
Chief Minister said that the Larkana-Gambat Bridge is located upstream [of the proposed bridge] at a distance of 181 km, therefore, the proposed bridge will save 131 km distance. He added that the Dadu-Moro Bridge (Downstream) is located at 122 km, therefore, this will save 72 km distance.
The meeting was told that the starting point of the bridge would be at Indus Highway near Khairpur N. Shah at Sita Village and the ending point on the National Highway (N5) would be at Kamal Dero at Kandiaro. The Length of bridge and roads would be approximately 25 km, excluding approach roads from N5 and N55 respectively. The Bridge over River Indus would be two kilometers and the link road on Khairpur N. Shah side would be 11.5 km, excluding the approach road from Khairpur NS to Sita Village. The Link Road on the Kandiaro side would be 11.50 km, excluding the approach road from N5 to Kamal Dero.
Minister Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro said that the Irrigation department has not been taken into confidence, therefore the Chief Minister directed Irrigation department to have a comprehensive technical study for allied components of the right bank canals.
Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge Project: The PPP Policy Board unanimously approved change in Law event and its financial impact amounting to Rs.564495003/- for payment to the Concessionaire from Viability Gap Fund.
The board also approved exemption from Sindh Sales Tax to be placed in the upcoming Cabinet meeting for discussion and decision.
Jhirk-Mulla Katiar Bridge: The meeting was told that the debt of the project Sir Aga Khan Jhirk Mulla Katiar bridge constructed on River Indus has been completely paid off on 30th November 2020.
Dhabeji Special Economic Zone: The PPP policy board unanimously approved issuance of Letter of Award/Acceptance (LOA) to Zahir Khan & Brothers (ZKB) being the preferred bidder with a highest evaluated bid price (i.e. Revenue sharing with the Sindh government in Present Value (PV) terms of Rs.16.25 billion in present value is equal to Rs.20.5 billion in nominal terms. The Sindh government will receive Rs.9.75 billion at the end of first year and remainder Rs.10.8 billion at the end of fourth year of the Project. The Dhabeji SEZ project will enable the establishment of industries from local and international investors. This will have a far reaching positive impact on Pakistan’s economy besides creating direct and indirect jobs.
Hub Canal: Representatives from the International Finance Corporation, HMCO BNR & TYPSA, being the advisors of the KWSB, presented the Karachi Hub Water Canal Project before the 34th PPP Policy Board Meeting. In addition to approving broad project parameters, the Board decided that the project would have a concession term of 15 years. The Board was informed that this would be the first competitively procured water PPP in the country, and the first of many PPPs to follow in the water sector. The Policy Board also directed upon formation of a sub-committee that would report to the PPP Policy Board on few projects-related issues within the next fortnight. (PR)
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