Other States - Puducherry

Industry sour over delay in projects

Rajesh Nair

They can create thousands of jobs for youth

PUDUCHERRY: Three major projects, which could possibly create thousands of job opportunities, are yet to take off even months after necessary clearance were obtained from the Central Government.

The projects — Special Economic Zone, modernisation of the Puducherry port and establishment of a new port in Karaikal — had been approved several months ago.

The SEZ was sanctioned a year ago and land acquisition had almost been completed. As far as the new port in Karaikal, the Environment and Forest Ministry had given the approval in May last year and the bidder also was appointed immediately.

Even the Madras High Court had given its clearance for modernising the port here two months ago. However, so far there are no signs of taking these projects forward.

"We hope to sort out the administrative delay in a few days time," Health Ministry E. Valsaraj, who is also in-charge of the Ports portfolio, said. The industry feels that the "total machinery is moving slowly" in implementing the projects.

"In our interaction with the Government we get a feeling that they are very keen to implement these projects. However, in reality things are moving very slowly," P. Sekhar, Chairman CII, Puducherry Chapter, told The Hindu .

The Government should appoint a monitoring committee to oversee the implementation of all infrastructure development projects. The committee should monitor the works on a day-to-day basis, he suggested.

"In fact, the Government had promised to set up such a committee during our interactions," he said. The industry also feels that efforts should be taken to bring back the private airline operator, which just stopped with an inaugural flight.

S. P Selva Shanmugham, convener of Karaikal Struggle Group, said the Government should expedite the developmental projects promised for Karaikal.

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