Fund crunch hits major projects in East Siang

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, March 12: Non-release of funds is reportedly hitting a number of major projects in East Siang district.

The implementing agencies and contractors concerned are bearing the brunt of massive public ire as the government has failed to release necessary funds against those projects in time.

The multi-crore projects, which were started early this year, have come to a halt due to fund crunch, say project engineers.

According to information available, the state government sanctioned Rs 10 crore for construction of RCC roads with draige at Pasighat town under SPA for the year 2013-14. The works implemented by Pasighat division of Public Work Department has come to a grinding halt due to non-payment of running bill to the contractor. In another project, the DoNER ministry during February last year granted sanction under Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) for construction of PSC-girder RCC bridge over Poklek river (locally known as Pagla korong) and Tolon river along Pasighat-Ledum-Tene PWD road under the district. The project too is hit by paucity of fund. The ministry during February last year granted fincial approval of Rs 16.23 crore for the project. Besides the major projects, works of many other ongoing schemes, such as construction of Yagrung Cirle Office, Build-Up-Girder (BUG) bridge over Remi river along Miglung Remi PMGSY road, remaining works of Sille-Yagrung NLCPR road are also affected for want of fund. Further, renovation of Mirem-Mikong-Ruksin road (earlier known as MMJ road) and Pasighat-Ledum-Tene PWD road are not yet started even after repeated assurance by the chief minister, ministers and local MLA. The executive engineer of Pasighat Rural Work Department (RWD), who has been entrusted to execute Sille-Yagrung NLCPR road, said that a portion of the 10-km road remained incomplete due to paucity of fund. He said the department is still waiting for release of fund amounting to Rs 116.25 lakh (remaining fund) from the ministry to complete the half-done works. The road was sanctioned in 2007. The people raised many questions over transparency and utilization of fund meant for the road project.

Undue delay of the central and state sponsored projects in the district is causing massive public concern.

“We are anxiously waiting to see light of development in Pasighat area through proper implementation of the major projects. The working season this year is running out, but there has been no any strategies to make the works progress before the rainy season begins,’ a local exclaimed.