Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Delay in implementing Rs 100cr above worth schemes forces TN to review projects every fortnight

C SHIVAKUMAR @ Chennai:

Concerned over the delay of implementation of projects above Rs 100 crore in the state, the state government has decided to review the pending projects every fortnight.

Official sources said that usually, a high-level committee headed by Chief Secretary reviews around 100 projects every six months. “Since the review has been ineffective, move is to have frequent reviews by the chief secretary and departmental review by the secretaries,” the source said.

It is learnt that the newly appointed secretary of planning, development and special initiatives will identify five projects to be reviewed by the chief secretary every fortnight and an initial list has been prepared. The projects will also involve those yet to be approved but considered to be importance to state. It will be done on the pattern of Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation (PRAGATI), a unique integrating and interactive platform. The platform is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.

Some of the five projects to be reviewed initially include the Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor project, which includes rehabilitation and resettlement of project affected damilies and commercial establishment and land acquisition for small stretch. The 19km Maduravoyal-Chennai Port elevated corridor project initially worth Rs 1,345 crore have got stalled for the last five years. It is likely to be revived with the state government giving it's nod for the project.



The review will also focus on Bangalore-Chennai Expressway where the land acquisition is in initial stages in Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Vellore districts. The work on the Rs 20,000 crore Chennai-Bangalore Expressway, which passes through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, is expected to start from December next year provided Tamil Nadu acquires 80pc of land.



Even the much delayed MRTS Phase II project will be reviewed where the cost has risen due to legal issues over land acquisition. The initial cost of the project was Rs 605 crore but now the cost has escalated to Rs 919 crore as the railway stations have to undergo certain finishing works.



The other two projects include the improvement of water supply to Madurai from Mullaiperiyar as source and setting up 100MLD desalination plants at Ramanathapuram and in Thoothkudi district.





It is learnt that due to land acquisition and related issues like rehabilitation and resettlement of project affected families, awarding of fair compensation to land owners under the new Land Acquisition Act, the execution of projects on schedule poses a huge challenge to the state government. This has resulted in both time-overrun and cost- escalation.

Initial Projects to be reviewed:

1. Bangalore-Chennai Expressway:

Initial cost: Rs 20,000 cr

2. Port-Maduravoyal project:

Initial cost: Rs 1,345 crore

3. MRTS Phase II

Initial Cost: Rs 605 cr

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