G-B govt approves 16 uplift projects worth PKR9.82b

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Development Working Party has approved 16 projects worth PKR9.82 billion in its third meeting. The projects include upgrades to hydel power plants, education and health facilities, roads, and bridges.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, approved the revision of PC-1 for upgrading the 1MW Shabkol Darel hydel power project to 2MW, with a cost of Rs774 million. The 800kW Rattu Astore hydel power project was approved with a cost of Rs507 million, and the 2MW Dechal Dashkin hydel power project was approved with a cost of Rs656 million. The 2MW Daiter Nager hydel power project was approved with a cost of Rs999 million.

The G-B government also approved a project to provide missing facilities in government schools across the province, with a revised cost of Rs500 million.

The meeting approved a project for the expansion of Provincial Headquarters Hospital (PHQ) Gilgit and the purchase of land for Shaheed Saifur Rahman Hospital Gilgit, with a revised cost of Rs422.1 million.

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The meeting approved the construction of the second tower of the Civil Secretariat in Gilgit at a revised cost of Rs914.9 million. A project for consultancy services for water supply schemes in Gilgit, Skardu, and other areas was approved at a cost of Rs594.9 million. The GB government also approved Rs472.4 million for pending payments to contractors.

The meeting also approved the revision of the Oshkhundass-Jalalabad road widening and metalling project at a cost of Rs581.9 million. A project for the construction of 40km of link roads in Tangir was approved at a cost of Rs949.1 million.

Furthermore, the meeting approved the construction of a 140-meter RCC bridge at Machulo, along with approach roads and guide walls, at a cost of Rs554.9 million.

The meeting approved the construction of four RCC bridges in Gilgit which is the construction of RCC bridge from Shaheed Saifur Rahman Hospital to Naltar Expressway, Chinar Bagh to CPO, Sikarkoi to Baseen, and Amphari to Konodas — at a total cost of Rs1.96 billion.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over delays in hydel power projects, stating that repeated revisions result in losses to the national exchequer and deprive the public of benefits. He emphasized the need to discourage the culture of project revisions and warned that officials responsible for delays would face strict action, including inquiries and penalties.