More than planning the projects, how to get them operational is the key to success of PM Gati Shakti mission in the northeastern region, said SK Ahirwar, joint secretary in department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) of commerce and industry ministry.
Ahirwar said infrastructure bottlenecks have been the biggest hurdles in implementation of the projects in the northeast, underlining that territorial disputes, non-availability of land, law and order problems are affecting implementation along with the climatic condition.
“Lots of haphazard implementation happens, which ultimately delays the projects in regions like northeast. Thus, we need implementational plan,” he added.
He said northeast is a region where connectivity requirements vary from kilometre to kilometre, state to state, district to district, may be subdivision to subdivision.
“We need an integrated multi modal approach if at all connectivity or comprehensive connectivity plan is to be done in the northeast. Connectivity should be the one single objective to usher in development in the northeast,” he said.
Ahirwar said the infrastructure deficit, or the constraints which are coming in the way of realising the potential of the region needs to be addressed first.
He said the pre-existent institutional and administrative structure of the North Eastern Council and digital component North-Eastern Space Applications Centre has to be fully utilised to give boost to PM Gati Shakti.
“Wherever the helicopter is required, wherever the ropeway is required, wherever roads are required, they should be provided. There are certain parts where even if the road is feasible, it’s not desirable. If it disturbs the natural beauty, then ropeway can be the alternative,” he added.
Ahirwar said all the ministries who have something to do with infrastructure — from railways to waterways and roadways to airways are in northeast to give impetus to PM Gati Shakti mission.
He said 2,00,000 km of road connectivity plan has been undertaken by the road transport highway ministry in NE by 2022-23 and it looks at improving all-weather roads connectivity with neighbouring countries like Myanmar. “We have Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan Asian highways and all state capitals in the northeastern region are to be connected and for that also there is a plan,” Ahirwar added.
