Aizawl, July 17 (NNN): The Centre has sanctioned Rs 15.18 crore to Mizoram for creating suitable infrastructure to strengthen the state statistical system, Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation DV Sadananda Gowda said. Speaking to media persons at a press conference on Monday evening, Gowda said Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) scheme is to improve the state statistical systems so that states are able to bring out accurate, reliable and timely data for state and sub-state planning. He said that there were four ongoing Central sector infrastructural projects worth over Rs 150 crore in the state. "The total original cost of these four projects was Rs 1,632 crore and the anticipated completion cost is Rs 5,613 crore, implying a cost overrun of Rs 3,981 crore (243.84%)," he said. Gowda, who arrived in Aizawl on Monday to review the progress of support for Statistical Strengthening scheme and status of implementation MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) in the state and urged the concerned officials to complete the projects in a time-bound manner. He also expressed concerned about better connectivity to swift implementation of various projects. He said that due to delay in finalization of supplementary land acquisition award, delay in obtaining forest clearance and tree cutting permission, the road project of widening to lane, re-alignment and geometric improvement of NH 44 A has suffered a cost overruns of 60 per cent and time overruns of 5 years.
