Guwahati: The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has scrapped four long-delayed infrastructure projects in Assam valued at nearly Rs 20 crore due to a lack of progress and non-completion.
As a result, the state government has been ordered to refund Rs 7.68 crore to the Centre, sparking concerns about the utilization of development funds.
The decision came during the 58th meeting of the Empowered Inter-Ministerial Committee (EIMC) of NESIDS-OTRI held recently in New Delhi.
Officials noted that despite repeated extensions and substantial financial releases, the projects had failed to show meaningful outcomes.
The worst hit is the Dima Hasao district, where two crucial drinking water projects have been shelved
The Haflong Water Supply Scheme, despite being sanctioned for Rs 1.42 crore and receiving Rs 0.65 crore in funds, yielded almost no results.
The Greater Mahur Town Water Supply Scheme, a project that has been pending since 2006, was also deemed unviable and recommended for foreclosure. Although sanctioned for Rs 5.12 crore and having received Rs 1.61 crore, the project saw no significant progress.
The Improvement of Demow-Dehing Road (10.125 km) and its RCC bridge in the Demow sub-division was sanctioned for Rs 7.60 crore in 2012. While it received Rs 5.42 crore, the project faced major delays because of issues with contractor payments.
The construction of a road from NH-31 to Kashimpur Suplekuchi, which was sanctioned for Rs 5.63 crore, was recommended for foreclosure.
This is not the first time DoNER has canceled projects in Assam. Officials admitted that a number of schemes have been scrapped recently because of ongoing delays, poor execution, and a lack of accountability. These cancellations are seen as a serious setback for underdeveloped districts like Dima Hasao, which desperately need clean drinking water and reliable roads.
Ironically, even as these essential infrastructure projects are collapsing, the state is moving ahead with an extractive venture. The Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) has scheduled a public hearing for a proposed coal mine in the Garampani area of Dima Hasao on September 23. The project, spread over 109 hectares, is being developed by the Assam Mineral Development Corporation Limited (AMDCL).
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Residents, NGOs, and local bodies have been invited to the hearing at Umrangso, where the company will present its Draft Environmental Impact Assessment.
