(a) whether Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged a loan for major highway projects in the country particularly in Mizoram and Meghalaya, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the total amount pledged along with the interest to be paid and period by which the loan has to be returned; and
(c) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve connectivity in the entire north eastern region and also complete the road projects in a time bound manner?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a) & (b): Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged ODA loan of 96,457 million JPY (Yen) in two tranches for widening and upgradation to 2-Lane with paved shoulder and geometric improvements of the following National Highway (NH) projects:
(i) NH-54 from Km 8.00 to Km 380.00 in the state of Mizoram.
(ii) NH-51 Km. 85.00 to 95.00 and Km. 101.00 to 145.00 in the state of Meghalaya.
Interest rates on the loan for construction works & procurement of goods & services is 1.4% per annum and for consulting services is 0.01%. Re-payment of ‘principal’ will be made in 20 years after the disbursement period of 10 years.
(c) Government has taken up various road improvement projects under Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE) for better connectivity in the entire region. In order to expedite road construction in the Region, the Government has set up the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation limited to augment the capacity of the agencies involved in the development and maintenance of NH in the Region. Further, the Ministry has adopted the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode of contract for major NH works in the region, wherein the contractors are required to complete the work within a fixed cost and time.
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