Jharkhand Seeking Funds For Core Sector

The Jharkhand government led by chief minister Babulal Marandi is scouting for funds to implement large-scale infrastructural schemes during the 10th Five-Year Plan.

According to the state government's strategy, a sum of at least Rs 5,000 crore has to be mobilised to start with.

A senior official in the government told Business Standard that several thousand crores would have to be mobilised from the Union government, financial institutions and international monetary agencies to give shape to the state's infrastructural schemes.

Ministers with portfolios related to the proposed infrastructural schemes were on the lookout for investors, he added.

Ranchi-based public sector company, Mecon Ltd, has prepared a 'Vision-2020' report involving the 4-laning of all important national highways, 2-laning of all state highways, construction of all-weather roads in rural areas, permanent bridges in all villages and connectivity between rural and urban areas.

The report also encourages private sector participation with government regulation and subsidy in remote areas, rail connectivity with the nearest port Paradeep and conversion of existing narrow gauge tracks between Ranchi to Laohardaga to broad gauge.

Mecon has also prepared a concept note for the proposed Science City in Ranchi. The project is expected to cost Rs 200 crore at current rates.

An architectural model of the proposed Science City was unveiled by Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam during his recent visit to Ranchi.

The proposed Science City will come up on a total area of 85 to 100 acres of land, near Ranchi city.