Fernandes declares NE road projects
Source: The Sangai Express / PIB

New Delhi, August 03 2013 : The Centre has decided to extend the Maram � Peren road taken up under SARDP-NE Phase "A" to connect with Di-mapur via Ghaspani to provide alternative connectivity to Ma-nipur and also develop about 65 km of road in Nagaland.

The decision of the Government to this effect was an- nounced by Oscar Fernandes, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways during a review meeting on the progress of projects in the North East region yesterday.

To carry out feasibility study for construction of Imphal bypass, to conduct a feasibility study for an alternative/additional highway between Chumukedima near Dimapur in Nagaland and Maram in Manipur on NH-39 to avoid sinking zones in Nagaland and Manipur on NH-39 so as to tackle perennial problem of frequent traffic disruptions, are some of the decisions taken by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced during the meeting.

Oscar Fernandes has revie-wed the progress of projects in the North East region, in the presence of Paban Singh Ghatowar, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) (DONER), Sarvey Sathya-narayana, Union Minister of State (Road Transport & Highways), the Chief Ministers/PWD Ministers and other Ministers of the States in the region.

The review intended to ap-preciate the concerns of the State Governments in the Re-gion, prioritize the important issues, find out way forward to address the same and also for giving impetus to momentum of implementation of pro- jects.

The Union Minister intended to embark upon visits in each of the States in the Region and take a holistic view on the demands raised by them.

Various decisions, amongst others, taken by the Ministry were also announ-ced during the meeting inclu- ding carrying out feasibility study for the important newly declared NH-127 B connecting Srirampur to Phulbari via Dhubri including construction of a bridge over river Brah-maputra, invitation of Request for Qualification (RFQ) for widening NH-37 between Numaligarh � Jorhat � Demow � Dibrugarh to 4-lane standards on BOT (Annuity) basis, to provide 4-lane connectivity to Itanagar from Na- gaon via Holongi, to conduct feasibility study for by-passing the trouble spot rock-fall area on NH-44A between Aizawl and Lengpui Airport in Mizoram which is envisaged at providing an alternate all weather road connectivity for the airport besides shortening the length of NH-44A by nearly 5 km, decision taken for developing 130 km stretch of Agartala�Sabroom section of NH-44 to 2-lane standards on EPC basis to be implemen-ted by the Ministry directly (which would provide connectivity to Chittagong port through Bangladesh and is envisaged to eventually improve trade and commerce with Bangladesh), decision to take up long pending construction of new bridge at Dawki in Meghalaya, decision to construct an alternative highway to Gangtok, via Bagrakot�Nimbong�Lolegaon�Algarah�Rhenok � Pakyong � Ranipul � Gangtok with spur from Rehnok�Aritar�Rolep�Menla.

It was informed that the Ministry has technically vetted the proposal of Ministry of DONER for construction of new bridge across river Barak to connect Silchar town as an alternative to existing Sadarghat Bridge.

Further, recently the Ministry issued sanctions for Jowai bypass as also revised estimate for Shillong�Nongstoin�Tura road under SARDP-NE in the State of Meghalaya.

On August 1, Vijay Chhibber, Secretary, Road Transport & Highways also held a meeting at Guwahati with the officers representing various agencies in the Region, such as the State PWDs, BRO (Border Roads Organisation) and NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) to review the road projects in the region.

This was in line with the focused approach of the Government towards improving the road infrastructure in particular in the Region.

The Government of India considers that the timely successful implementation of infrastructure projects is vital for accelerated socio-economic development.

The Government is committed to accelerate development of infrastructure in the country in general and in the North East region in particular.

Earlier this year on February 4, the progress of road projects were reviewed at Guwahati by the then Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Dr CP Joshi.

Recently the Prime Minister of India reviewed the infrastructure projects in the North East Region in a meeting held on July 18 and consequently EGoM and committee under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary were constituted to expedite finding solutions for outstanding issues impeding progress of projects.

Keeping in view the various decisions taken and the targets set forth during the aforesaid meeting, the projects were reviewed in detail by Vijay Chhibber.

Timelines were laid down for expediting progress of ongoing projects besides resolving various outstanding issues.

A host of decisions were also taken to facilitate speeding up of delayed works in a time bound manner, taking up of stringent actions against non performing contractors, attaching greater focus for preparation of project reports truly reflecting the actual ground conditions, time bound completion of pre-construction activities, suggesting most cost effective technological solutions, etc.

State PWDs were also requested to accord emphasis urgently for strengthening their institutional capabilities and project management mechanism.

The delay in implementation and poor progress, frequent revision of scopes leading to time and cost overruns of projects under implementation by the BRO was viewed with a serious concern and it was directed that greater focus should be given towards ensuring timely and cost effective implementation of these projects.

It was also agreed that the Ministry may consider taking up implementation of some projects directly and all State Governments were requested to consider sparing some of their technical officers so that they could be associated in implementation of these projects along with the officers from the Ministry.

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