Kalam calls for timely completion of infrastructure projects

Alamatti, Karnataka, Aug 21 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today underlined the need for timely completion of infrastructural projects through a mission mode operation and called for designing a mechanism to execute such programmes in time within the specified cost.

Speaking after dedicating the Upper Krishna Project under Krishna basin to the nation here, he said the decision making process in the execution of major programmes looked highly complex because Central and State Governments, Environmental ministries and sanctioning authorities were all involved in it.

He suggested that a task team should be formed drawing members from the Centre and states to identify 10 successful Dam construction, rehabilitation and utilisation programmes and 10 programmes which had taken long duration for completion, because of the decision making process delays and the consequent costs escalation.

The experience of these 20 programmes should become the basis for the Planning Commission and the ministries concerned to design a mechanism on how to execute such programmes in time within the specified cost, he explained, adding that it was essential to accord highest priority for such social development projects so that the benefits of the project reach the farmers at the earliest.

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