Under the medium-term phase of the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan (2025–2035), Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) has announced mega development projects worth approximately Rs280 billion in phases to transform Gwadar into a world-class, modern, smart, environmentally friendly, and economically vibrant port city.

The announcement was made in an important meeting regarding future development projects held under the chairmanship of Director General Gwadar Development Authority (GDA), Muin-ur-Rehman Khan, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro on Sunday.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on projects aimed at finalizing Gwadar’s upcoming 10-year development program.

The program includes projects such as the Central Business District, Special Economic Zones, GDA Housing Scheme, ecological corridors, and implementation of micro-planning under the master plan. 

Additionally, commercial centers, public spaces, museums, heritage centers, coastal tourism resorts, foreign tourist resorts, Grab Beach Park, and the GDA Club will also be part of the development agenda.

The 10-year program will also include construction and expansion of internal and external roads, completion of unfinished GDA roads, and development of new highways in accordance with the master plan. 

Special emphasis will also be placed on modernizing urban infrastructure, environmental protection, socio-economic growth, and provision of public amenities.

While briefing the meeting, Deputy Director Town Planning Abdul Razzaq stated that, in line with directives from the provincial government, GDA is preparing a comprehensive 10-year development program under an “Umbrella PC-I.” 

The program will first be presented to the provincial government and later to the federal government for approval and funding, with hopes of inclusion in the 2026–27 fiscal year budget.

He explained that the program would integrate GDA’s existing business plan and various ongoing development schemes into a coordinated framework, with the primary objective of ensuring the effective implementation of the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan.

The meeting was informed that the master plan has now entered its second phase, focusing on modern urban infrastructure, industrial development, socio-economic improvement, environmental protection, promotion of tourism activities, and provision of modern municipal facilities in Gwadar.

The meeting also discussed the upgradation of Senator Muhammad Ishaq Cricket Ground, underground electricity cabling across the city, installation of modern streetlights under solarization of GDA highways, establishment of green belts, and beautification projects.

Under the Old Town Rehabilitation Project, schemes for road construction and expansion, improvement of sewerage and drainage systems, installation of streetlights, memorial monuments, and provision of modern municipal services in Shambay Ismail Ward, Surbandar, and Pishukan will also be included in the program.

Meanwhile, proposals were also reviewed for laying approximately 200 kilometers of new water pipelines and establishing water desalination plants to improve water supply in master plan areas.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China