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| Major Events Vol. 3 Issue No. 29 | June 16-30, 2007 |
Rail projects in NE show negative returns The N F Railways may be shunting towards the red, as majority of its projects in the North-east have negative rate of return. Doing business in the North-east is not at all happy news for Indian Railways, if the latest status reports of the projects in the Region, is to be believed. The mega Bogibeel-rail-cum-road Bridge sanctioned way back in 1997-1998, the Rate of Return (RoR) is –15.39 per cent. The proposed Dimapur-Kohima line is projected to –967 per cent RoR. So does the Dudhnoi-Depa Line. The Harmuti-Itanagar Line also suffers the same fate. The Jiribum-Imphal Project, another national project is going to –19.39 percent negative RoR. The New Maynaguri-Jogighopa line also in the same category.. Perhaps the only track that is projected to have a positive return, is the Kumarghat-Agartala line with 7.85 per cent RoR. Meanwhile, the status report has said that the mode of funding of the Project would be decided by the Prime Minister since it has been declared as a national project. The Railway Ministry’s share is Rs 1109 crore, while that of Ministry of Surface Transport is Rs 658.4 crore. The Report said the detailed design of the main Bogibeel Bridge was in progress. The Dimapur-Kohima Rail Project is a hit a road block with the Nagaland Government proposing alternative alignment. The same was the case with Dudhnoi-Depa Project. Meghalaya Government has proposed alternative from Dudhnoi to Mendhipathar. Final location survey is on, the Report said. As if taking a cue, Arunachal Pradesh Government has also requested change of alignment thrice and has finally reverted back to Harmuti-Itanagar alignment. Final local survey has started, the Report stated. The cost of the Jiribum-Imphal line is estimated at Rs 1800 crore. The State Government has decided to examine the possibility of touching Imphal instead of terminating at Tupul. Alignment has raised by about 72 meter to overcome the submergence zone of proposed Tipaimukh Dam. Further with steep gradient, a feasibility of extending the line from Tupul to Imphal has been established. If accepted, it would lead to the total cost of Rs 2,300 crore, the Report said. |
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