Committed to develop infrastructure in North-East: NHIDCL

NEW DELHI: Terming its criticism by the Assam government as "unfortunate", state-run NHIDCL today said it is committed to "inclusive development" of the North-East region where it has already awarded projects worth Rs 4,008-crore in Assam with schemes worth another Rs 2,366-crore on anvil.

Hitting back at the Assam government, it said whatever delays were being caused in projects, were on account of delays in land acquisition, forest clearance etc by the state government.

"The criticism of NHIDCL by the state government of Assam is uncalled for, unfounded and unfortunate... the NHIDCL is committed to inclusive development of the North-East region and strategic border areas by becoming a catalyst for employment generation and economic growth," NHIDCL said.

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), created to fast-track highway projects, is a fully-owned company of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways which had come under attack by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi earlier this month who said the pace of the projects by NHIDCL is slow.

"The fact is that NHIDCL, since its inception in July 2014, has been striving to enhance the pace of development of critical connectivity infrastructure in North-East... NHIDCL in the last one year has been able to fast-track activities for the construction of highways and development of other infrastructure in the North-East region and strategic border areas," it said.

"In Assam, the company has already awarded 10 projects covering a length of approximately 280 kms to be built with an estimated cost of Rs 4,008 crore.

"The company would also be awarding 3 more projects in this state covering a length of approximately 102 kms to be built with an estimated cost of Rs 2,366 crore during the current financial year."

It said it has been able to fast-track the activities for construction of highways and other infrastructure in the state and has actually commenced work on Kaliabhoomra Bridge on NH 37A and Numaligarh-Jorhat section of NH 37.

"However, due to non receipt of estimates for land acquisition from the state government of Assam, slow progress of tree cutting and utility shifting to be done by the Assam government, all other projects are not able to move forward despite the contractors being put into place," the statement said.

It said it has raised the issue of delay in getting the estimates for land acquisition, forest clearance etc time and again at various levels, including in the meetings with Chief Minister and Chief Secretary.

As the Assam government abruptly stopped collection of tolls on Kalia-Bhomora Bridge, NHIDCL had to quickly step in and bring in a contractor with revenues increasing by almost 36 per cent, it added.

It further said that since many road projects are held up due to delay in land acquisition, NHIDCL is now focusing on maintenance of roads in Assam, pending their upgradation.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had also held a meeting in Guwahati last month to fast-track projects in the region.