826 development projects in Northeast delayed by 1 to 5 years

New Delhi, Aug 3: As many as 826 development projects being implemented in the North Eastern states, at the cost of more than Rs 50,000 crore, are getting delayed by up to five years, leading to continuous backwardness in many parts of the region.

Out of the total 826 delayed projects, 517 are related to expansion of railway lines and telecommunication network and construction of border roads and power stations, and are being implemented under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme.

Of the projects under NLCPR Scheme, 108 projects are delayed by more than five years, 55 are delayed by four years, 57 by three years, 88 by two years and 103 projects are delayed by less than one year.

Assam accounted for the highest number of these delayed projects -- 146 -- of which 42 are delayed by five years and 18 by four years.

Apart from the NLCPR projects, 309 delayed projects are related to expansion of road network to unconnected areas, improvement of inland waterways, improvement of trade and connectivity with neighbouring countries, which are being implemented by the North Eastern Council (NEC).

Of the NEC projects, 29 are delayed by more than five years, 44 are delayed by three to five years, and 147 are delayed by one to three years. Among all the projects, 20 are major infrastructure projects for new railway lines, doubling and gauge conversion.

There are 10 national projects of construction of 2,919 km long road network, upgradation of 10,141 km road -- both national highways and state roads -- and connectivity to all 88 districts headquarters in the region.

PTI