Projects involving over ₹19,100 crore of JICA assistance being implemented in NE: Official
The Hindu
"We will invest in hospital extension and procuring of sophisticated medical equipment in Assam. We will offer similar support to such projects in other states also, if it comes through," the JICA official said.
Various projects involving over ₹19,100 crore of assistance by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are being implemented in the North-East region of India, a top official said on Sunday.
Besides its assistance in strengthening infrastructure, the agency is looking at social development projects with a focus on medical infrastructure and enhancing livelihoods, JICA Chief Representative in India Mitsunori Saito said.
“We have several projects in various stages of implementation in the NE region.”
"Some projects have been going on for five-six years, while some are relatively new. There are many projects, like bridges, which take longer (time) to complete," Mr. Saito told PTI on the sidelines of a conclave here.
He said the JICA is looking for providing financial assistance in social development projects in the region.
It signed an agreement with the Centre in March this year to provide Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan amounting to approximately ₹2,942 crore for the Assam Health System Strengthening project. "We will invest in hospital extension and procuring of sophisticated medical equipment in Assam. We will offer similar support to such projects in other states also, if it comes through," the JICA official said, adding that the agency is also focused on natural resource management in the North-East region.
"We are not only looking at forestation but also upgrading the livelihoods of people who are dependent on forests," he said.