(a) whether the Government is aware of lack of infrastructure in the North Eastern Region (NER) and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(b) whether any assessment has been made to ascertain the ideal level of infrastructure and other facilities ought to be in place in NER and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether lack of infrastructure has hampered the industrial growth of the region; and
(d) if so, the corrective steps being taken by the Government to address the problem?
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
[Dr. Jitendra Singh]
(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *394 for answer on 14.12.2016.
(a) Government is giving emphasis on development of infrastructure in the North Eastern Region. The status of roads, railways and power in different States of North Eastern States is given at Annexure- I.
(b) The level of infrastructure is dependent on the topography, natural climatic factors, availability of resources, keeping in view the demand for such infrastructure. In this dynamic environment, the ideal level of infrastructure would also keep on changing. Infrastructural requirements of the North Eastern Region in respect of connectivity have been assessed by the Government from time to time. Some of these include, Vision 2020 document, approved by the North Eastern Council; Report of National Transport Development Policy Committee; Perspective Transport Plan for Development of NER and Report-cum-Detailed Project Report for Transmission and Distribution, which have highlighted the need to strengthen infrastructure in North Eastern States.
(c) Industrial growth depends on many factors including quality of infrastructure. The geographical remoteness of the region impacts both on the availability of raw material and access to markets and, therefore, lack of connectivity/cost of transportation does hinder the growth. However, the growth rate of Gross State Domestic Product in Industrial Sector and also in Manufacturing Sector at constant 2004-05 prices in five, out of eight North Eastern States, was higher than the National Average Growth Rate during 2005-06 to 2013-14.
(d) Government has taken a number of initiatives to further develop the transport and communication sectors in order to enhance the connectivity to the North Eastern Region. A note on the activities undertaken by the Government for upgradation of the infrastructure is at Annexure- II. The progress is regularly monitored and reviewed at various levels.