Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu to review progress of central schemes in Northeast

NEW DELHI: With the government's special focus on the Northeast region, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu will review progress of schemes pertaining to his ministries in the region to enable speedy development.

The assurance was given to the Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijuju, who met Naidu today for discussion on speedy and effective implementation of various central government initiatives in the region.

The two ministers decided on close monitoring for implementation of various schemes to enable speedy development of North-Eastern states in the context of Prime Minister's special focus on the region.

They also discussed the prospective benefits to the region under various new initiatives like building of Smart Cities, New Mission for 500 cities and towns, Housing for All by 2022 and skill development of urban poor.

Rijuju requested Naidu to look after the interests of all North-Eastern states under Smart Cities and other programmes.

He also discussed funding of projects in Arunachal Pradesh including development of road networks in the towns of Changlang, Miao, Jairampur, Basar and Wokha and solid waste management project in Ziro.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who also met Naidu here, discussed issues relating to funding of storm water drainage, Master Plan for Shillong, augmentation of water supply in Shillong, Williamnagar Town and Resubelpara besides development of Tura, the second largest town of the state.

Sangma requested Naidu for a special dispensation under housing scheme for Meghalaya keeping in view the tribal ethos and culture, land ownership and land tenure system and topography.

Naidu assured the Chief Minister that these concerns would be addressed in a large context under the new Housing for All scheme to be launched soon.