Govt considering declaring Asom's Bogibil bridge national project

New Delhi, Dec 15 (UNI) The government today said the Bogibil rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra in Asom, linking northern and southern parts of the state, could not be declared as a 'National Project' because it was found non-viable.

Minister of State for Railways R. Velu, however, told the Rajya Sabha during question hour that because of its strategic importance, the government was reconsidering whether it could still be declared a national project.

Mr Velu said the government had earlier directed that the project, slated for completion by 2010-11 subject to availability of resources, would be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle, which could raise resources in consultation with the Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission.

''As the project is financialy non-viable, funds mobilisation through the SPV mechanism may not be amenable,'' he said.

Giving details, the minister said the project was sanctioned way back in 1979-80 at an estimated cost of Rs 972 crore, and RITES carried out seismic and other surveys for it.

In view of it being a mega project, the government approached the World Bank for funding. However, the Bank held that it was not a rail but a socio-economic development project.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) then suggested that an SPV be formed to raise resources and also execute the project.

''In view of the project being non-viable, it was difficult to create an SPV, and this continues to be a big hurdle. However, we have once again approached the Cabinet on the issue,' he informed the House.

Mr Velu said the project was slated for completion in 2010-11 and a sum of Rs 580 crore had so far been spent on it.

Replying to a supplementary, the minister said he would convene within a month a meeting of MPs from the North-East states to discuss various issues pertaining to Railways in the region.

A Congress member regretted that there was no electric train in Asom. He also wanted upgrading of passenger amenities at various stations in the region.

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