NEW DELHI: Worried over delay and huge cost overruns in projects in the northeast, the prime minister has set up an empowered group of ministers to monitor and review infrastructure development in the region.
The EGoM, to be headed by the finance minister with the minister for development of northeastern region (DONER) as a member, will also explore ways to boost the economy of the northeast. Other members include power minister, home minister, civil aviation minister and road transport minister.
After the concluding session of the 62nd North East Council (NEC) plenary meeting on Tuesday, DONER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar said, "The EGoM will suggest ways for effective coordination between central ministries to implement major projects."
A committee of secretaries, headed by cabinet secretary, has also been set up to ensure timely implementation of projects in the northeast, he said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will chair the committee's first meeting on July 18.
Of the seven railway projects to lay new track in the region, work is yet to be completed. Some of these projects were sanctioned about 15 years ago. The progress of two of these projects — in Assam-West Bengal and Assam-Meghalaya — have been affected due to land acquisition problems.
The railways has invested Rs 10,503 crore in the last five years to build 244 km new lines and 738 km gauge conversions in the northeast. Ghatowar said the railway ministry intends to invest Rs 2,498 crore to expand its network in the region.
The Planning Commission, too, has approved several projects, include upgrade of airports. "A study conducted through the Airport Authority of India (AAI) on improvement of air connectivity in the region has been completed," said Ghatowar.
The meeting was attended by governors of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura and chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur and Meghalaya.
The EGoM, to be headed by the finance minister with the minister for development of northeastern region (DONER) as a member, will also explore ways to boost the economy of the northeast. Other members include power minister, home minister, civil aviation minister and road transport minister.
After the concluding session of the 62nd North East Council (NEC) plenary meeting on Tuesday, DONER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar said, "The EGoM will suggest ways for effective coordination between central ministries to implement major projects."
A committee of secretaries, headed by cabinet secretary, has also been set up to ensure timely implementation of projects in the northeast, he said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will chair the committee's first meeting on July 18.
Of the seven railway projects to lay new track in the region, work is yet to be completed. Some of these projects were sanctioned about 15 years ago. The progress of two of these projects — in Assam-West Bengal and Assam-Meghalaya — have been affected due to land acquisition problems.
The railways has invested Rs 10,503 crore in the last five years to build 244 km new lines and 738 km gauge conversions in the northeast. Ghatowar said the railway ministry intends to invest Rs 2,498 crore to expand its network in the region.
The Planning Commission, too, has approved several projects, include upgrade of airports. "A study conducted through the Airport Authority of India (AAI) on improvement of air connectivity in the region has been completed," said Ghatowar.
The meeting was attended by governors of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura and chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur and Meghalaya.
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