Pak Govt. sets aside Rs.44 billion for CPEC western route

The Pakistan Government is reported to have set aside Rs.44 billion for giving a serious push to projects lined up on the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The government is reported to have earmarked completion of three main schemes of the western route, including the construction of Hakla-Yarik-Dera Ismail Khan motorway, the Basima-Khuzdar road and the dualisation of Yarik-Mughalkot-Zhob project.

According to the Express Tribune, the eastern route of the CPEC is at an advanced stage of completion, and therefore, a need has been felt to divert attention to projects on the western route as well.

For 2017-18, the government has set aside Rs.180 billion for CPEC projects, including Rs.5 billion block allocations, said Minister for Planning & Development Ahsan Iqbal.

The total cost of CPEC infrastructure projects is estimated at Rs.1.08 trillion, which is about one-third higher than the previous year. So far, Rs.231 billion has been spent on these schemes, leaving a balance of about Rs.850 billion to be spent in the coming years.

In 2018, the National Highway Authority (NHA) will get about Rs.160 billion for carrying out work on CPEC projects.

The CPEC, which will be constructed from 2014 to 2030, talks about integrated links to China's One Road, One Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Route.