Islamabad: The development work of the Capital Development Authority (CDA)’s public-private partnership projects – included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP-Plus) – is facing delays due to the limitations of the existing legal framework, according to news sources.
The government recently announced a three-year development plan (from 2020 to 2023) to be completed with the investment from the private sector. This plan is divided into two categories and labelled as PSDP-Plus. A total of 53 mega projects have been identified for development (with an estimated investment of PKR 2 trillion) under this plan.
There are 29 projects (related to 11 economic sectors) in the first category and will be developed without any involvement from the government. The investment estimated for this category sums up to PKR 9 trillion. The second category includes 24 projects (related to seven economic sectors) and will be developed with some government involvement and will incur a cost of PKR 2.3 trillion.
According to reports, the following six projects are expected to be implemented under the PSDP-Plus initiative:
New Blue Area Project Islamabad: A commercial hub to be developed on state land with private funding. The project is estimated to fetch direct investment of PKR 150 billion.
A 20-kilometre-long tunnel (from Havelian to Islamabad): To be developed with an estimated cost of PKR 25 billion and will decrease the travel time between the capital and Mansehra and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Expansion of 28-kilometre-long Islamabad Expressway
A 17-kilometre-long road connecting Margalla Avenue to N-5 (GT Road): To be developed with a cost of PKR 25 billion and aimed to decrease the congestion on Kashmir Highway and IJP Road.
Waste-to-energy plant or Waste-to-urea plant: With a capacity to produce 500-600 KWH energy per ton of waste.
Water treatment project: The treated water will be pumped into Rawal lake for re-consumption. The experts believe this project is environment-friendly but expansive.
CDA Chairman Amir Ali Ahmed has said that even though these project cannot be launched under the existing framework, the matter can be taken up with the federal government to formulate necessary legislation.
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