The Astonishing Transformation of Gwadar: A Journey from Fishing Town to Smart City
In a mere six years, Gwadar has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a modest fishing village into a thriving smart city.
This once quiet port town now boasts meticulously paved roads, bustling shopping malls, efficient inter-city transportation systems, luxurious resorts, enchanting recreational parks, cutting-edge seawater desalination plants, state-of-the-art hospitals, educational institutions of repute, thriving livestock enterprises, expansive agricultural farming zones, vibrant free trade zones, and an eagerly anticipated international airport currently under construction.
One monumental achievement in recent times is the emergence of the 19-kilometer-long Eastbay Expressway, set to facilitate the seamless transportation of cargo from Gwadar Port to Motorway 8 (M-8), a vital component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Imam Buksh, the visionary project director behind the Eastbay Expressway, enthusiastically shared that this groundbreaking six-lane, technologically advanced, signal-free road is a historic first for Gwadar. Anticipated to be fully operational by mid-May, it is poised to become the main conduit for containerized traffic from Gwadar Port to China, heralding a new era of connectivity.
Gwadar's commitment to eco-consciousness is evident through numerous biodiversity and natural flora and fauna plantation initiatives. Several projects are either completed or advancing rapidly.
To enhance the quality of life for local residents, a plethora of parks have sprung up, including the Pak-China Friendship Green Park and Central Park. Abdul Raheem, the dedicated deputy director of the Gwadar Development Authority's (GDA) Environment Division, proudly announced that Gwadar's green cover has surged by an impressive 20% compared to the past.
Addressing the critical issue of freshwater scarcity, a seawater desalination plant capable of producing 1.2 million gallons per day is in the works. Generously funded by China with a grant of Rs 2 billion, this project, overseen by Dawood Baloch, Director of the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), promises to provide a sustainable solution.
Another transformative milestone on the horizon is the integration of Gwadar into the national grid, poised to alleviate power outages within the city. Abdul Razzaq, Assistant Town Planner at GDA, revealed plans for a 140km, 132KV double-circuit transmission line and a 395km, 132KV single-circuit line. Additionally, the government is set to import 70 to 100 megawatts of Iranian electricity to power the Gwadar Port. Simultaneously, a 300-MW coal-fired power plant, under the guidance of GPA chairman Naseer Khan Kashani, is on track for completion by 2023.
The transformation extends to the residential sector, with homes in Gwadar transitioning to solar energy. In the first phase, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment generously donated over 4,000 sets of solar photovoltaic systems and LED lights to empower the local population. Recently, an additional 3,000 solar panels were donated, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable living.
Zhang Baozhong, Chairman of China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC), highlighted the increased activity at Gwadar Port, where LPG ships and bulk cargo vessels are now commonplace. These developments have opened up numerous business opportunities for Pakistani stevedoring companies, transporters, and customs clearance services.
Furthermore, Gwadar now hosts "Tissue Labs," an innovative initiative by China aimed at creating alternative income sources beyond fishing and aqua-related businesses for the locals. Zhang Saiyang, Director of Tissue Lab, enthusiastically announced their readiness to provide training sessions to locals, both male and female, imparting modern knowledge on cultivating commercial crops and plants in a dry and arid climate.