Slow pace of faster lane in Northeast

Fund flow from the Central government for infrastructure and development projects in the Northeast has increased manifold but underutilization of funds and project delays continue to deprive the people of the region of the desired pace of development. The absence of an effective mechanism of monitoring and evaluation has allowed inordinate delays to recur despite implementing authorities being pointed out the inadequacy. The lame excuse of adverse weather conditions during monsoon reducing the window period of project execution in the region is no longer tenable as advent and access to technology have made it possible to fast-track infrastructure work such as road construction or other connectivity projects. Increasing allocations in Union budgets for road projects in the region is reflective of the Central government acknowledging the importance of the connectivity projects for better market access for farmers, boosting trade, commerce, tourism and improving access to health and education. Official data, however, reveal a depressing picture of the region grappling with a slow pace of work even though there is no dearth of the fund. It took more than 15 years to complete roadways of a total length of 4,121 km under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE) since the launch of the programme in 2005-06. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways identified projects of improving existing highway networks in the region, connecting all district headquarters with the nearest highway with two-lane all-weather roads, providing inter-state connectivity and transborder connectivity with neighbouring countries. Against identified length of 6418 km, detailed project reports have been prepared so far for 5,998 km of which 5602 km have been awarded under SARDP-NE while 4121 km have been completed. The Ministry informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Home Affairs that 254 roadways projects covering a total length of 4510 km are in progress in the region under North Eastern States Roads Investment Programme, North Eastern Road Sector Development Scheme, besides SARDP-NE. The total estimated cost of these projects is Rs 45,320 crore which speaks volumes about the attention the region has received from the Central government for seamless connectivity. The parliamentary panel notes in its report that improved road connectivity can provide better market access for agriculture produce and various other economic activities, expand opportunities for a majority of people living in remote and rural areas and may lead to a much better socio-economic growth of the region. The committee is of the view that the pace of development under SARDP-NE "is not satisfactory" and recommends that there is a need to pace up the development of roads under the scheme so that the projects are completed without further cost and time overruns. The fact that the parliamentary committee has made similar observations and recommendations in the past to remind the Ministry to expedite project execution, recurrence of delays says a lot about the inefficiency of project implementing authorities to overcome the shortcomings. The entire SARDP-NE programme is now targeted to be completed by March 24, 2024, and it is hoped that the target date will not be missed. Improved road connectivity in the region has attracted more tourists to many unexplored destinations in the region and expediting the pace of roadways projects across the region is vital to boosting the tourism industry to generate more livelihood opportunities and increase revenue generation for states. Tourists from outside regions spread the word about road conditions and ease of travel which is vital for other tourists to make their choices. Maintenance of highways and other roads in the region, however, requires more fund allocations so that the increasing number of potholes do not reduce dream rides along these highways to death traps. Using drones can facilitate the real-time assessment of highway conditions and initiate quick repairing work to prevent escalation of maintenance costs due to the widening of the potholes over time. Proposed GPS-based toll connection along highways to replace toll plazas will not make the traffic move faster if maintenance work is not carried out immediately for smooth movement of vehicles. Transparency on utilization of user fees collected from highway commuters will keep them informed about the availability of funds for maintenance and providing other roadside amenities and utilization. Improved road condition in the region has helped shape new narratives of development activities in the region and unlocked its potential for accelerated growth. The faster pace of execution of projects is necessary to attract private investors to take note of improved connectivity creating a new ecosystem for industrial investment and transborder trade and commerce. States in the region playing a pro-active role in expediting the project execution and required capacity building is essential to overcome the problem of long and recurring delays. The Central government putting in place a robust mechanism of real-time monitoring and evaluation in collaboration with State Governments has become an urgent necessity to fast track roadways projects in the region.