The Hindu : Front Page : Jairam Ramesh moots infrastructure corporation for north-east region

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Sunday, Oct 01, 2006
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Jairam Ramesh moots infrastructure corporation for north-east region

Special Correspondent

Asks Manipur Government to hand over NH 39 to BRO

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh greets a Myanmarese girl on the Indian side of the Lokchao bridge, 109 km from Imphal, during his visit on Friday. — PHOTO: PTI

Imphal: Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh on Saturday suggested formation of a North-East Infrastructure Development Corporation on the pattern of the Konkan Railways to undertake mega infrastructure projects in the north-east region.

Mr. Ramesh told reporters here that such a body should be partly owned by the Government of India with north-eastern States as partners. He said the Centre has to play a major role in infrastructure development in the region as the north-eastern States themselves cannot do it. He said the National Highway Authority of India had allocated Rs. 15 crore in 2006-07 to the Manipur Government for the maintenance of 950 km of the National Highway whereas the 110 km stretch of NH-39 from Imphal to Moreh alone requires Rs. 50 crore for complete overlaying.

He urged Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to hand over NH 39 to the Border Roads Organisation to ensure its proper maintenance so that it can help smooth trade between India and Myanmar across Moreh.

Mr. Ramesh on Friday announced a Rs. 70 crore project for setting up an integrated check-post as part of the modernisation of the existing Land Custom Station at Moreh.

When it was pointed out that the BRO had reportedly expressed its inability to take over the highway due to shortage of manpower, the Union Minister said that he would impress upon both the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Surface Transport in this regard.

He also announced that the people of Manipur would have another railway station by April 2010. The construction of the Jiribam-Imphal railway line is now targeted to be completed by April 2010, he said.

Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, he said, has agreed to increase the number of MBBS seats in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here from 100 to 150 and also provide a onetime grant of Rs. 80 crore for the upgradation of the institution.

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