KARACHI: 40th PPP Policy Board meeting held under Sindh Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah decided to launch number of important projects on PPP Mode including supply and operations of buses for Yellow Line BRTS, establishment of Oil palm Nursery and Tissue Culture Laboratory, financial close of on-going Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge, construction of Tando Allahyar Bypass and drainage system at Tando Jam and development of Rani Bagh, Hyderabad Project.

Ministers Dr. Azra Pechuho, Ismail Rahu, Sharjeel Memon, Sajid Jokhio, Murtaza Wahab, Syed Qasim Naveed, Ghulam Qadir Chandio, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Chairman P&D Hassan Naqvi, VC NED Dr. Sarosh Lodhi and Nasir Brohi attended meeting.

Sindh Minister for Transport Sharjeel Memon told CM that with collaboration of Centre and Sindh governments, comprehensive solution to Karachi’s urban mobility problem was underway by implementing Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), as planned under Karachi Urban Transport Master Plan (KUTMP) of 2030. He added that in order to implement KUTMP, the transport department conceived project which included supply and operations of buses for Yellow Line BRTS under PPP contract with concession period of 10 years.

Meeting was told that World Bank would provide 50 percent of project cost which meant development and operation of BRT Yellow Line Corridor and rest of amount the private partner would have to arrange. Private partners would also develop marketing strategy to sensitize potential investors’ participation in bidding process and assist SMTA during procurement.

Ismail Rahu told meeting Pakistan annually imported 4.5 million tonnes of edible oil worth $ 5 billion, second highest import bill after petroleum products. He added that Sindh was naturally blessed with rich coastal belt that had tremendous potential to integrate agricultural crops including coconut and oil palm. According to Rahu oil palm tree starts bearing fruit after three years of plantation, while it fully matures after seven years of plantation. It has life span of 25 to 30 years under intensive management operations.

Cabinet approved transfer of 3,000 acres of Forest land to Coastal Development Authority (SCDA) at Kathore and Hayat Gaho Forest for oil palm plantation and scheme “Establishment of Oil palm Nursery, Tissue Culture Laboratory and block plantation in coastal belt of Sindh” has been included in ADP 2021-22.

In order to resolve water logging issue and provide relief to affected area’s residents, government envisaged developing stormwater drain, sewerage line and water drainage system across Project. Nasir Shah told meeting that Rani Bagh was established as botanical garden in 1861 in honour of Queen Victoria. It is in center of Hyderabad city. He added that present state of Rani Bagh made it largest yet underutilised facility of Hyderabad, featuring zoo, mechanical rides, an open-air theater and grass lawn on its 54 acres of centrally located land.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 09 2023

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