East-West corridor project likely to miss deadline

NEW DELHI: Though slated for completion by December 2008, the East-West corridor is likely to be delayed due to several reasons, Union minister of shipping, road transport and highways TR Baalu said on Friday. Law and order problems, an under-developed local contracting industry and lack of equipment in some areas are some of the reasons for the delay.

The government is giving utmost priority to development in the north-eastern parts of the country to expedite progress under the East-West corridor. Further, it is planning a high speed, 678 km long national highway to connect the north-east region with the rest of the country. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be constructing a four-lane corridor from Silchar to Shrirampur in Assam at an estimated investment of Rs 6,000 crore.

The Centre would also be meeting representatives from the Manipur government and other officials of north-eastern states to sort out issues related to land acquisition and to expedite work under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP) in the north eastern region.

Speaking at a meeting of a Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the ministry of shipping, road transport and highways, the minister also said that a Bill for declaration of the Barak river as a national waterway would be introduced soon. A standing committee is also examining proposals for two more national waterways. With the declaration of these three waterways, a total length of 1,839 km would be added in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the minister said.

In order to encourage investment in the inland water transport sector, the government is also considering extension of the inland vessel subsidy scheme, which would be ending at the end of the month, the minister said.