It needs hardly any emphasis that there exists a direct link between infrastructure and economic development of any nation. If it’s a basic truth, then equally true is the reality that if there are halts in implementation of infrastructure projects then the very idea of development becomes a mockery. Drawing parallel with the much used adage of ‘justice delayed is justice denied,’ it can also be said that delays in infrastructure is equal to delay in progress.This has been a major fault line in Arunachal Pradesh’s quest of development for decades and the Secretary DoNER has thus reminded the state to consciously avoid the vicious trap of cost and time overruns by strengthening the monitoring mechanism and bringing in major qualitative improvements in project implementation.

The country has ambitious plans for reaching the hallowed status of third largest economy of the world by 2030 with GDP touching USD 10 trillion. If that really happens it would be something great to feel proud, but the apprehension that persists among policy makers is all centred around a single word- infrastructure. There can be no denial of the fact that over the last few decades there has been massive infrastructure investments in various sectors which includes power, bridges, dams, roads and alike. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) received in construction development sector such as townships, housing, built-up infrastructure and construction development projects have also been encouraging. The country is also gearing up to meet its investment requirement worth USD 777.73 billion in infrastructure by 2022 to ensure sustainable development.

The major financing bodies of the world are also willing to invest since India is a huge market with great potential. But the principal area of concern which is delay & cost escalation still persists today as has been the case since independence. There are a host of reasons and most talked about issues are land acquisition, environment, litigation, etc that make the process lengthy beyond imagination. This is a huge economic cost resulting in a constant infrastructure gap in greater part of the nation. It is very rare when an Indian project gets finished on time or within the original cost estimate.

And although Arunachal’s problems are quite akin to the pan Indian scenario, it must be said that the state which is hailed as the gateway to the east just cannot afford to waste any more time. It had a solid distressing experience regarding projects failures and had learnt enough lessons. Lamenting over them would make little sense, rather learning from past mistakes and avoiding their repetitions would be prudent in the long run.

A better dispute-resolution mechanism, more transparency  and enforcement of anti-corruption standards are the immediate necessities.

It’s an Achilles heel which the state must get rid of at any cost.

It needs hardly any emphasis that there exists a direct link between infrastructure and economic development of any nation. If it’s a basic truth, then equally true is the reality that if there are halts in implementation of infrastructure projects then the very idea of development becomes a mockery. Drawing parallel with the much used adage of ‘justice delayed is justice denied,’ it can also be said that delays in infrastructure is equal to delay in progress.This has been a major fault line in Arunachal Pradesh’s quest of development for decades and the Secretary DoNER has thus reminded the state to consciously avoid the vicious trap of cost and time overruns by strengthening the monitoring mechanism and bringing in major qualitative improvements in project implementation.

The country has ambitious plans for reaching the hallowed status of third largest economy of the world by 2030 with GDP touching USD 10 trillion. If that really happens it would be something great to feel proud, but the apprehension that persists among policy makers is all centred around a single word- infrastructure. There can be no denial of the fact that over the last few decades there has been massive infrastructure investments in various sectors which includes power, bridges, dams, roads and alike. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) received in construction development sector such as townships, housing, built-up infrastructure and construction development projects have also been encouraging. The country is also gearing up to meet its investment requirement worth USD 777.73 billion in infrastructure by 2022 to ensure sustainable development.

The major financing bodies of the world are also willing to invest since India is a huge market with great potential. But the principal area of concern which is delay & cost escalation still persists today as has been the case since independence. There are a host of reasons and most talked about issues are land acquisition, environment, litigation, etc that make the process lengthy beyond imagination. This is a huge economic cost resulting in a constant infrastructure gap in greater part of the nation. It is very rare when an Indian project gets finished on time or within the original cost estimate.

And although Arunachal’s problems are quite akin to the pan Indian scenario, it must be said that the state which is hailed as the gateway to the east just cannot afford to waste any more time. It had a solid distressing experience regarding projects failures and had learnt enough lessons. Lamenting over them would make little sense, rather learning from past mistakes and avoiding their repetitions would be prudent in the long run.

A better dispute-resolution mechanism, more transparency  and enforcement of anti-corruption standards are the immediate necessities.

It’s an Achilles heel which the state must get rid of at any cost.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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