GUWAHATI, Feb 5 � A high level review by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways took place on the Prime Minister�s Special Package for road sector projects in North East India. Senior officials from several organisations took part in the proceedings, which was led by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Dr CP Joshi.
The Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP-NE) to improve and extend road network in the region, an initiative that envisages providing road connectivity to all district headquarters of the North East by �minimum two lane highway standards� besides providing connectivity to remote areas.
According to the Union Minister, the programme has been planned in two phases (A & B) covering about 10,141 km. The phase A of SARDP covers 6,418 km at an estimated cost of Rs 33,688 crore, he said in a press meet.
Works under the SARDP are being executed by State PWDs, Border Roads Organisation, National Highways Authority of India and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The Minister reviewed the works with an aim to identify the constraints in implementing the programme and also to take corrective steps with senior officials of the organisations involved in the project. He also carried out discussions with Chief Ministers and State PWD Ministers.
He admitted that there have been delays in carrying out work due a number of factors. Delay in land acquisition, relocation of utilities, getting necessary forest and environmental clearance were cited as some of the reasons which have impeded progress of several schemes in the North East.
Urging the State Governments and the BRO to step up their efforts in achieving targets, he underscored the need for preparation of accurate DPRs, and award of works to contractors only after acquisition of 90 per cent of the land required. The projects where all such clearances are received will be sanctioned on a �priority� basis.
A Ministry press handout also mentioned that from now onward, the projects would be executed on a new contract format called EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) that will provide for the contractor to �assume design responsibility and absorb variations.� The training from the Ministry will also cover this mode of contract.