NEW DELHI, March 7 — The Department for Development of the North Eastern Region (DONER) has in the last five years, sanctioned projects worth Rs 3,097.65 crore for the region out of the Non-lapsable Central Poll of Resources (NLCRP). Assam has been released projects worth Rs 139.95 crore in February. This was conveyed to a delegation of the North-east MPs’ Forum (NEMPF) by Union Minister in-charge of DONER, Dr CP Thakur, at a meeting held here yesterday. The first-ever meeting between the MPs and the new Minister was attended by Minister of State for DONER, Tapan Sikdar, senior officials of the department including Secretary, Atul Sinha, who made a presentation about the activities of his department.
Meanwhile, in the latest round of meeting of the committee of the NLCPR projects, proposals worth over Rs 535 crore were sanctioned, out of which Rs 13.05 crore came Assam’s way. Sri Sinha told the MPs that this financial year projects worth Rs 1,855.70 crore was sanctioned from the pool. It may be mentioned that it was rejection of projects submitted by Assam Government that had led to acrimony between the two. The issue has now been resolved and the State Government is now submitting projects in conformity with the guidelines of the DONER.
Meanwhile, DONER informed the MPs that funds have been augmented for improving the facilities at the 12 existing airports. The DONER makes a contribution of Rs 35 crore annually to Alliance Air to operate the 50-seater aircraft. According to DONER, Itanagar, Tinsukia, Dimapur, Shillong, Silchar and Guwahati would be connected to Kolkata by 450-km optical fibre cable network. During the year, 300 km has already been completed.
The MPs were told that conversion of the broad gauge line taken up since December, 2002 to link New Jalpaiguri with New Bongaigaon would be completed shortly. The members were assured that Rs 1,171-crore Bogibeel bridge foundation stone of which was laid by Prime Minister was on. It may be mentioned that the bridge has been named as a special project. It was claimed that the work on the Naga referral hospital was resumed after intervention of DONER.