LAHORE, Nov 13: Feasibility study for biomass power generation in the province was among the eight development schemes approved by the Punjab government on Wednesday with an estimated cost of Rs11,822.431 million (Rs11.82 billion).

Feasibility study for construction of water treatment plant to treat the surface water intake from BRB Canal, Lahore (PC-II) at the cost of Rs10 million was also approved in the 17th meeting of Provincial Development Working Party of 2013-14 fiscal year, presided over by Punjab Planning and Development Board Chairman Irfan Elahi.

Three projects in Lahore would be completed on public-private partnership basis, including feasibility study (PC-II) for the construction of a flyover at Defence Road Railway Crossing at the cost of Rs26.9 million, construction of GT Road Expresswayfrom Shahdara to Kala Shah Kaku at the cost of Rs86.8 million and construction of Southern Bypass in Lahore at the cost of Rs26.5 million.

The approved development schemes included capacity building of elementary teachers training institutions in Punjab (Modified) at the cost of Rs3,137.75 million; Punjab Literacy Movement Project at the cost of Rs1,824.36 million; Up-gradation (Reconstruction) of District Headquarter Hospital, Sargodha, at the cost of Rs1,035.44 million.

Construction of signal-free junctions at Azadi Chowk of Lahore at the cost of Rs3,834.36 million; Construction of alternate route to Circular Road from New Azadi Chowk to Masti Gate at the cost of Rs1,834.15 million and engagement of short-term consultant to conduct feasibility study for biomass power generation in the province (PC-II) at the cost of Rs6.15 million.