By IANS
New Delhi : Rail connectivity to the northeast is likely to improve in the next five years with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approving Rs.19.80 billion Thursday for two railway projects in the region.
The amount has been approved for the Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge and the Rangia-Murkongselek railway line conversion from metre gauge to broad gauge. Both projects are in Assam.
While approving the projects, the prime minister has also directed the railway ministry to adopt a uniform funding pattern, on the same lines, for the remaining five sanctioned national projects for the northeast region.
The approved amount will provide additional budgetary support to the railways to complete these projects, said a government of India announcement.
The railway ministry held the sixth sectoral summit here on June 19 this year to discuss rail connectivity to the northeast region. The summit was chaired by cabinet minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, who heads the ministry on northeast development.
The summit listed a number of existing and new rail links which needed urgent attention to improve rail connectivity to the area. The two rail projects approved by the prime minister find a mention in that list.
The Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge in Assam was sanctioned in 1997-98. It is now expected to be completed by 2011-12 at a cost of Rs.17.67 billion.
The estimated cost of the Rangia-Murkongselek line is Rs.9.157 billion. It is also targeted to be completed by 2011-12.
The railway ministry will now set up a dedicated fund for these projects to ensure timely implementation. The cost overruns will be funded by the railways from internal resources, said the government announcement.
A detailed milestone map with target dates is also being prepared for these projects with indication of annual requirement of funds, the government statement added.
The summit had decided that a dedicated fund called the “North East Rail Development Fund” would be set up for the timely completion of these projects. The ministry of railways will submit a proposal for the approval of the cabinet.