(a) Whether the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had to shelve the port connectivity programme which would have linked over 30 minor ports, airport connectivity and also the pilot project of industrial corridors along the proposed Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Development Corridor due to non allotment of adequate funds to them by the Ministry of Finance;and
(b) If so, the details thereof and reaction of the Ministry thereto?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) & (b): No Sir Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, inter-alia, projected proposals for fund requirement under Annual Plan 2012-13 commensurate to the report of the Working Group on Central Roads Sector for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) forwarded to the Planning Commission in November, 2011. The proposed Annual Plan 2012-13 for Central Roads Sector included proposals for undertaking new schemes, such as:
i. Special package for development of roads in the scheduled areas (under Fifth Schedule) under Tribal Sub-Plan;
ii.Special programme for development of state roads for Deihi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) Development Project
for Maharashtra and Rajasthan region on pilot basis;
iii. Special package for development of state roads in the state of J&K from strategic considerations;
iv. Special package for development of road connectivity for about 50 minor ports;
v. Special package for development of road connectivity for 24 Airports.
However, pending finalization of the 12th Five Year Plan, inclusion of these Schemes under Annual Plan 2012-13 under
Central Roads Sector has not been recommended by the Planning Commission keeping in view limited avatiability of gross budgetary allocations (Rs. 22,600 crore) for Central Roads Sector under Annual Ptan 2012-13 as against the projected requirement by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (Rs. 28,533.37 crore).