Japanese experts to visit northeastern states for infrastructure project

TOKYO: A team of Japanese experts will visit India's northeastern states in next three weeks to study the details for the survey for infrastructure development projects in the area, a top official here has said.

The project is expected to start before the end of next year and will enhance connectivity and development in northeastern states, described by China as India's "most neglected region".

"The preparatory survey has already commenced for the infrastructure development project which will include reconstruction of roads and old bridges," said Sinya Ejima, chief representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provides technical cooperation and other forms of aid promoting economic and social development in India.

"Our team of experts will visit the states barring Arunachal Pradesh in third week of January to do a detailed study and the work is expected to start by end of the next year," Ejima said.

During a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in September when Modi travelled to Japan, the two leaders placed special emphasis on Japan's cooperation for enhanced connectivity and development in Northeast India and linking the region to other economic corridors in India and to Southeast Asia, which would catalyse economic development and increase prosperity in the region.

Earlier this year, ahead of general election in India, China's state-run Xinhua news agency had said "India's northeastern states -- which also include Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland are said to be the country's most neglected region.

Under the agreed project, Japan with an estimated USD 100 million aid will reconstruct roads and improve other infrastructure in these states.

Apart from infrastructure development in North Eastern states, JICA is also actively assisting Delhi Metro project, which is in its third phase. JICA is also providing assistance to Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and the Chennai- Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) in South India, as well an assistance to strengthen Japan-India academic-industry networks, and human resources development for industries such as manufacturing.

The Japanese Agency is also associated with various projects relating to sewerage and water supply in India with a total loan commitment of Rs 28,660 crore in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa.

Ejima informed that current commitment of JICA's assistance in urban sector including water and transport is of the order of Rs 2,40,000 crore.