GUWAHATI: The North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), initiated by the Central Government in 2017-18 for the northeastern states, including Assam, is facing sluggish implementation, sparking concerns about unutilised funds and delayed projects. Originally intended to be completed by March 31, 2022, the NESIDS projects have encountered slow progress, prompting a four-year extension from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2026.
Assam, in particular, has struggled to expedite the implementation of NESIDS, with a recent report from the Ministry of DoNER revealing that nearly ₹200 crore allocated for road projects under NESIDS in the state remains unspent. The report outlines that Assam had an approved cost of ₹666.69 crore for 13 road projects under NESIDS.
As of October 31, 2023, the state has utilised only ₹466.21 crore, leaving around ₹200 crore unutilised. Among the ongoing projects, only five have been completed.
The approved cost and expenditure details of these projects include:
1. Bhadoi Panch Ali to Joypur Khonsa Road via Tipom: Approved - ₹58 crore, Spent - ₹23.20 crore
2. Construction of RCC bridge No. 17/1 over river Dhansikri on Udalguri Bhairabkunda road: Approved - ₹34.70 crore, Spent - ₹25.88 crore
3. Jagun-Namchik-Miao Road: Approved - ₹24.89 crore, Spent - ₹22.45 crore
4. Jamuguri to Nagsankar in the Sonitpur district: Approved - ₹22.73 crore, Spent - ₹9.09 crore
5. Lanka to Umrangso via Diyungmukh, Haflong Tinali, and Panimur: Approved - ₹227.17 crore, Spent - ₹180.03 crore
6. Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Road: Approved - ₹79.13 crore, Spent - ₹31.65 crore
7. Nalbari Palla road at Solmara to Bangaon Jagra road via Billeswar Devalaya: Approved - ₹17 crore, Spent - ₹6.69 crore
8. RCC Bridge No. 3/1 (NH-39) Silonijan Dispensary to Dhansiri Par Ghat via Panika Basti: Approved - ₹20.60 crore, Spent - ₹10 lakh