Centre Has Allocated Budget of Over Rs 2 Lakh Cr For Strengthening Connectivity Of North East, Informs Ministry
The Ministry of Development of the North-East Region has stated its plans to strengthen rail, air, and road connectivity in the North-Eastern States. As per the ministry, budget allocation has been done to ensure timely completion of the major projects in the region. This includes 19 railway projects with a cost of Rs 81,941 crore and 261 road projects at a cost of Rs 1,02,594 crore.
The Union Minister for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, G Kishan Reddy, shared the details in a written reply during the Lok Sabha session on Monday.
As per the reply, 19 railway infrastructure projects, spanning a length of 1909 kilometres, have been initiated in the North Eastern States at an estimated cost of Rs 81,941 crore. As of March 2023, out of these 482 kilometres have been commissioned, and an expenditure of Rs 37,713 crore has been incurred.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has implemented initiatives to improve air travel accessibility throughout unserved and underserved regions in accordance with the regional connectivity scheme (RCS)-UDAN. In states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura, 13 significant infrastructure projects worth Rs 1543.70 crore are now being carried out.
Additionally, there are efforts being made to increase road connectivity, with 261 road projects being executed out across the North Eastern States under various MoRTH programmes. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), and State Public Works Departments (PWDs) are carrying on these projects, which have a sanctioned cost of Rs 1,02,594 crore. Additionally, 77 road projects totaling 3372.58 crore have been approved by the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).
The North Eastern Council (NEC) has also contributed by sanctioning 51 projects valued at Rs 4345.16 crore to further enhance rail, air, and road connectivity in the region.
