Extension for N-E road plan

CABINET DECIDES

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval to enlarge the scope of the Special Accelerated Road Programme for North East. Under this, another 994 km of roads will be built in the region, taking the total size of the first phase of the programme to 2,304 km.

The CCEA approved funding of Rs 4,673 crore as gross budgetary support for the programme. This will involve four laning of 330 km of National Highway 44 in Tripura on cash contract basis.

The CCEA has also athorised the Department of Road Transport and Highways (DORTH) to decide about engagement of implementation agencies for various roads under modified SARDP"�NE, from time to time.

The road transport ministry had in August sanctioned upgradation of 452 km of roads (both highways and state roads combined) under Phase 'A'.

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Other CCEA decisions

Import of Mono-Ammonium Phosphate included under the concession scheme for decontrolled potassium and nitrate fertilisers. The move is aimed at reducing India's dependence on imported di-ammonium phosphate.

Nod to additional expenditure of Rs 277 crore under the Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme for the ongoing projects and six new projects for industrial clusters located in less developed states.

Nod to inclusion of peripheral towns of Panchkula in Haryana and SAS Nagar in Punjab in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for Chandigarh.