PMO sets deadlines for key infrastructure projects

PMO sets deadlines for key infrastructure projectsThe Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Thursday for various steps to implement key infrastructure projects, with an aim to accelerate the process of infrastructure development in the country.

The list of planned infrastructure projects includes cover sectors like highway, railway, port, airport and power.

The deadlines for the implementation of the projects were set at the first meeting of the steering group appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to step up infrastructure investment.

A statement released by the PMO said, "The deadlines will ensure that ministries or departments are clear about not just the overall deadline but also all the intermediate steps that need to be completed so that there are no slippages."

The statement added that all ministries and departments had been directed to nominate a nodal officer, who will report every week on the progress of the projects undertaken by their respective departments.

So far 17 major projects have been identified, including Mumbai rail corridor and Navi Mumbai Airport project. Contracts for the construction of these projects will be awarded between September this year and March next year.

Contract for Eastern Peripheral Expressway around Delhi is scheduled to be awarded by the end of this year, while contracts for Delhi-Meerut and Mumbai-Vadodara would be awarded by end of March next year.