GUWAHATI, Nov 27 � The Ministry of Railways has an investment plan of over Rs 17,000 crore in different projects in the North-east, which are scheduled for completion by 2015. The Central Government has also approved augmentation of foodgrain storage capacity in the region by 5.25 lakh tonnes, more than doubling the existing storage capacity of 4.58 lakh tonnes.
For petroleum products storage, an augmentation plan was under way by IOC involving an investment of more than Rs 500 crore, to be completed over the next three years.
This was revealed during the two-day review meeting Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar had with the chief secretaries of the eight north-eastern States on the progress of the major infrastructure projects in the region. The meet decided on having �firm milestones and targets� for completion of the ongoing projects in all the four key sectors, i.e., roads, railways, foodgrains and petroleum products.
�This will bind the implementing agencies as well as the sanctioning authorities at various levels both in the States and the Central Government to take the required steps to achieve the mutually agreed timelines, and thereby provide the necessary thrust towards completion of all pending projects,� an official release said.
In order to ensure compliance with the deadlines through timely action by all agencies, it was decided that each Chief Secretary would set up a committee headed by him for each of the four sectors, comprising secretaries of the State departments concerned as well as representatives of the ministries/departments concerned of the Central Government to monitor and ensure that the projects progressed according to the agreed timelines.
On the Railway Ministry�s investment plan of more than Rs 17,000 crore in projects in the region to be completed by 2015, it was assured that those projects would be taken up as per schedule and funding would not be a constraint.
On the road sector, it was emphasized that NH-44, NH-53 and NH-39 would be taken up on priority and efforts would be made to speed up work, including maintenance, before the onset of the next monsoon. The need for regular maintenance of the roads, particularly by BRO, was also stressed.
It was revealed that the Centre had in principle granted approval for augmentation of foodgrain storage capacity in the region by 5.25 lakh tonnes through construction of additional depots by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
The meet also agreed on providing adequate security for the projects under implementation for preventing slippages. �The State governments were requested to make suitable arrangements so that the personnel working on the projects feel safe and protected enough to work on the projects unhindered,� it said.
