Latest news with #Rs146
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Consortium fears delay in N-55 project
A Chinese-led consortium has said that any delay could pose a risk to the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) concessionary financing for the Rs146 billion N-55 expansion project as it may potentially make the project financially unviable in the future due to rising costs. The consortium is all set to build the much-anticipated additional carriageway on the Indus Highway (N-55) between Rajanpur and Dera Ismail Khan. The Rs146 billion project, funded under the ADB's Central Asia Regional Economic Corridor programme, will help ease congestion, enhance safety and strengthen regional trade linkages. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Imdadullah Khan, the spokesperson for the consortium, which is the successful bidder, said that their team had been "fully mobilised" to deliver the project on time. "Its groundbreaking has already been done by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and we are committed to avoiding any delay. This is not just an infrastructure upgrade; it's a paradigm shift in how such projects are executed in Pakistan," he remarked. The mega project covers 330 kilometres of dual carriageway - 121.5 km from Rajanpur to Dera Ghazi Khan and 208 km from DG Khan to Dera Ismail Khan. It includes 11 new bypasses to divert heavy traffic away from busy urban centres. Six bypasses will be built from Rajanpur to DG Khan, including the ones at Rajanpur, Fazilpur, Muhammad Pur, Jampur, Mana Ahmadani and Kot Chatta. Another five will connect DG Khan to DI Khan, at Shah Sadruddin, Kala, Shadan Lound and Ramak. The spokesperson further said that a transparent and open procurement process began in December 2023 and lasted nearly 18 months, where bids were received from almost 20 national and international firms. The successful bidder - Ningxia Communications Construction of China, partnering with Pakistan's Rustam Associates and Dynamic Constructors - was the lowest bidder with an offer Rs13.19 billion lower compared to its nearest competitor. The bid was also about 20% below the engineer's estimate based on the updated CSR-24 rates. According to the spokesperson, two lawmakers also vied for the project but failed to match the winning bid. "We won through open bidding. Our record is transparent and our bid was evaluated and approved by both the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Asian Development Bank. Some unsuccessful parties are now trying to influence the process, but we are confident in the legitimacy of our award," Khan said. The NHA, in its letter written to the Prime Minister's Office, also refuted allegations about the bidding process and clarified that the bid was transparent and well monitored and approved by the ADB before giving final nod to the successful bidder. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the project in February 2025, setting a two-year completion target. Once operational, the expanded Indus Highway will cut travel time and open up new trade and economic opportunities in southern Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. "This is a defining moment for Pakistan's road network," Khan remarked.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ram Kal Path works to start with temple conservation
Nashik: The initial phase of the ambitious, centrally-funded Ram Kal Path project is set to commence with the conservation and renovation of ancient temples and structures. On Thursday, the standing committee of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) approved the civic administration's proposal to award the work order to a Mumbai-based firm. This firm will undertake the renovation and conservation of ancient temples near Ramkund and Kalaram Temple, as well as the façades of structures, at a cost of Rs22.55 crore. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs146 crore. Central govt has approved Rs100 crore of this, with the balance to be sourced from state govt's tourism department and the NMC. Till date, the Centre has disbursed Rs65 crore to the civic body, with the remaining Rs35 crore are to be released based on the project's progress. The Centre has set a deadline of March 2026 to complete the Ram Kal Path project. The project involves the development of the entire zone from the Ramkund area in Godavari to Kalaram Temple and Seetagumpha in the old Panchavati area. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs146m allocated for Balochistan officers
Amid ongoing law and order situation in Balochistan, the government has expedited the work on implementing "incentive package and policy" for the officers posted in the province and devised a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the allocation of funds. In a recent meeting, the Finance Division briefed the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) that the prime minister had approved the revised Incentive Package for PAS and PSP officers posted under the Government of Balochistan (GoB) on January 9, last year. Accordingly, the Establishment Division on January 29, 2024 notified the package, which aimed at motivating the PAS and PSP officers from outside Balochistan to be posted in Balochistan by addressing concerns like high cost of living, lack of facilities, support and social isolation. An SOP had been devised in consultation with the Establishment Division to allocate funds for the under the package, the ECC was informed. As per the SOP the Establishment Division would coordinate with the Balochistan government on a bi-annual basis. The SOP stipulated that funds would be surrendered to the consolidated account of the Balochistan government in favour of the Finance Division. The Finance Division would release the funds after obtaining the Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) from the ECC. Accordingly, the Finance Division surrendered Rs146,413,696 for onward transfer to the Balochistan government in order to meet the demand under the Finance Division's allocation for FY 2024-25. The ECC's approval for the TSG was obtained under Grants, Subsidies & Miscellaneous Expenditures head.
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Gandapur challenges Maryam to debate
In what seemed to be a bragging contest, the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) touted their "great" performances while belittling each other's work, with the chief minister of the latter challenging the chief minister of the former to a debate. K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who belongs to the PTI, on Thursday announced distributing free laptops among students in the K-P, a move initiated by various PML-N led governments. He said his government would provide the same percentage of students with laptops as the Punjab government. In return, he urged the Punjab chief minister, Maryam Nawaz, to offer free health cards to citizens, just as the K-P government had done. "Our government provided the entire population with the Sehat Card Plus and is now offering life insurance. The Punjab government should also extend these facilities to its entire population," he said. Gandapur claimed that despite challenging circumstances, his government had increased revenue by 55%, urging Punjab to raise its revenue from 12% to 55% as well. He said the K-P government has a surplus of Rs176 billion in its treasury and is the only province to meet the International Monetary Fund's (MF) target. He pointed out that Punjab was given a target of a Rs300 billion surplus by the IMF but instead it incurred a Rs146 billion deficit. The CM said his government is facilitating the weddings of 4,000 underprivileged girls, providing each with Rs200,000. He challenged Punjab's performance, claiming it was not even 1% of K-P's, and declared his willingness to debate the issue. Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari stated that while it is often said that governments struggle to perform in their first year, the PML-N has raised the flag of success in both the federal and Punjab governments within just one year. "The Punjab government has already delivered remarkable results, sending a clear message to all provinces to compete in the politics of public service," she said during a press conference at the DGPR, accompanied by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq. According to Bukhari, when someone has nothing substantial to say, he resorts to insults. " The public no longer wants abusive rhetoric, chaos, arson, or attacks on the federation. Other provinces should also initiate projects similar to those in Punjab." She criticized so-called journalists and analysts who once claimed that PML-N had lost relevance but now dismiss the party's rallies as unsuccessful. Bukhari said under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz, Punjab's first year in office has been marked by historic achievements and exemplary public service.
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
After Punjab, K-P announces free laptops for students
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced a free laptop scheme for students in the province, pledging to match the percentage of laptop recipients in Punjab. "If Punjab provides laptops to a certain percentage of students, we will do the same," Gandapur said. He urged Punjab's government to reciprocate by offering free health insurance cards similar to those provided in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He highlighted the province's healthcare initiatives, stating, "We have given our entire population the Sehat Card Plus and are now offering life insurance." He challenged the Punjab administration to extend similar benefits to its residents. Gandapur also claimed that his government had increased revenue by 55% despite financial challenges, contrasting it with Punjab's performance. "Punjab's revenue growth is only 12%. Let them increase it to 55% like us," he said. Regarding fiscal management, he asserted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had a budget surplus of Rs176 billion and was the only province to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF) targets. "Punjab was given an IMF surplus target of Rs300 billion but instead recorded a deficit of Rs146 billion," he noted. The chief minister also announced financial support for underprivileged brides, stating that the provincial government would facilitate the weddings of 4,000 deserving girls, providing each with Rs200,000. Challenging Punjab's governance, he said, "I am ready for a debate. Punjab's performance does not even match 1% of ours."
