Central Projects For Assam Behind Schedule

* Cumulative cost escalation of 44 projects increases to Rs 36,445.50 crore from Rs 26,450.20 crore

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 26: It is a matter of serious concern that many Central Government projects in Assam are not completed on schedule, leading to massive time and cost overruns. Such has been the state of affairs with respect to 44 projects in the State.

According to the latest report of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Infrastructure and Project monitoring Division, while the cumulative cost of the 44 projects was Rs 26,450.20 crore, the anticipated cost overrun is now Rs 36,445.50 crore, thereby marking a 37.79 per cent cost escalation.

Of the 44 projects, 14 are facing severe cost escalation. While the original cost of these 14 projects is accumulated to Rs 9,855.89 crore, their anticipated cost now stands at Rs 20,008.74 crore.

Meanwhile, 11 projects are suffering from time overrun or delay of eight to 122 months from the original date of commissioning. Particular mention may be made of the Bogibeel bridge project and two ONGC projects, among others.

The original cost of the Bogibeel project under Northeast Frontier Railway was Rs 1,500 crore which was revised to Rs 4,857 crore. However, the anticipated cost now stands at Rs 5,820 crore for the time overrun of 122 months. Though the revised commissioning of this project was in June 2018, it is yet to be completed.

Two projects under ONGC have also suffered from such serious time and cost overruns. These projects are with reference to the construction of water injection plants and feeder gas lines.