PC appreciates Arunachal's commitment to implement PM's package

Itanagar, Aug 16 (UNI) The commitment of the Arunachal Pradesh government to implement over Rs 20,000 crore under the Prime Minister's Mega Package for infrastructure development announced recently has been lauded by the Planning Commission (PC).

Official sources said here today PC Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, in a letter to Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, conveyed his appreciation for the team of officers for extending complete cooperation and providing detailed information that helped the PC in resolving the issue of determining a mechanism for providing funds for completing some of the incomplete crucial projects.

''As a result of their concerted efforts, special plan assistance of Rs 454.8 crore for completion of incomplete projects in the road and power sectors have been included as part of the Prime Minister's package to Arunachal Pradesh announced on January 31,'' the letter added.

Mr Ahluwalia also appreciated the Chief Minister for his guidance and direction which helped the team of officers to put together a status report of incomplete work in seven identified sectors during 2007-08.

Mr Khandu also appreciated the team of officers for the wonderful job accomplished and expected the same spirit to be maintained by other officers in discharging their assigned duties.

He further extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Mr Ahluwalia for including Special Plan Assistance of Rs 454.8 crore, for completing incomplete projects in the road and power sectors under the Prime Minister's Mega Package, the sources added.

Meanwhile, the state PWD has finalised an impressive architectural design for the new secretariat building incorporating various provisions including landscapes, the sources informed.

Though the DoNER Ministry had sanctioned Rs 71.73 crore for the building, the revised estimated Detailed Project Report (DPR), amounting to Rs 128.90 crore, has been submitted to the ministry, the sources added.

Of the Rs 454.8 crore sanctioned by the PC as special assistance package for completion of incomplete schemes, PWD has a share of 1,063 road and bridge schemes worth Rs 212.75 crore, the sources disclosed.

The 1,840 km Trans-Arunachal Highway from Tawang to Kanubari under the Prime Minister's package would link 11 district headquarters through two-lane highway for which the pre-feasibility report has been submitted and Chief Engineer of the Union Ministry of Surface Communication and Transport Kamlesh Kumar, during his recent inspection, lauded the PWD for its progress, the sources said, adding that work on other highway schemes in the state would begin by the year end once funds were released.

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