AP sets deadline for completion of projects under NCRMP

To speed up the ongoing works under the World Bank-funded National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) in Andhra Pradesh, the state government today set deadlines for different departments for completion of road works and building cyclone shelters.
It also decided on holding monthly reviews on the progress of the works taken up under NCRMP.
State revenue minister N Raghuveera Reddy, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) members V K Duggal and K M Singh here today reviewed the progress of the projects taken up under the NCRMP, launched two years ago in the state.
With objectives to reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities to cyclone and other hydro meteorological hazards, the NCRMP project was being implemented in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha under phase-I which will be extended in other coastal states of the country in phase-II.

The three-year project costing Rs 771.50 crore for Andhra Pradesh covers nine coastal districts. The project is proposed as a centrally-sponsored project with 75 per cent contribution by the Centre as grant-in-aid and matching 25 per cent contribution by the state government.
After the review meeting, Reddy told a press conference that the government has been decided to set time-bound deadlines for completing works under the project.

A decision has been taken to ensure that the road works are completed by August-September, while the cyclone shelters to be built by January-February next year, the minister said, adding the Chief Secretary will also hold monthly review meetings on the progress of various projects.

"All works under the NCRMP are proposed to be completed by December 2014," Reddy said.
The Centre has released Rs 115.54 crore and so far the expenditure incurred stood at Rs 81.45 crore with completion of 122 works, while 256 works are under progress in Andhra Pradesh.
NDMA member V K Duggal, who along with Singh had earlier visited Visakhapatnam, said works under the project in Andhra Pradesh have picked up pace since September last year.
"Things have speeded-up...But still its not up to the desirable level and hence deadlines have been set for every work. An implementation and monitoring system has been put in place to review the progress of the works under the project," he said.