IMPHAL, January 20: The government viewed infrastructure development in the North East as a key element in the strategy for developing the region and increasing connectivity with the rest of the country, said Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh while opening a meeting with the chief ministers of North East Region.
The meeting to review the progress of infrastructure projects in the region was organized by the Planning Commission which is the nodal agency initiating and monitoring developmental work in North East region.
According to a PIB release, the Prime Minister had also noted that “very considerable progress is being made in each of the sectors reviewed today.”
It said that the PM had directed the Planning Commission to constitute a Monitoring Committee with representatives from the North East states to improve coordination among Central ministries.
The deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia made a detailed presentation on Infrastructure Development in the region and noted that continuous focus on the region has led to satisfactory results during the 11th Plan period, it said.
He had said the State Domestic Product growth in the region has been above the national average for the first time ever in the 11th Plan underscoring success of the initiatives and constant monitoring by the Planning Commission.
It was also noted by the deputy chairman, Planning Commission that during the same period total Central Assistance including NCA, ACA, SCA and SPA had more than doubled to the region from Rs 34764 crore during the 10th Plan to Rs 73374 crore during the 11th Plan period. As a result, Plan Expenditure has grown significantly in all NE states as share of GSDP, it said.
Highlights of the review in individual infrastructure sectors include a major expansion in railway development in the region under the Twelfth Plan with the Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal project amongst seven national projects to be completed in the plan.
