Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday urged union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to allow northeastern states greater access to funding through Externally Aided Projects (EAPs), saying that the region’s strong record in implementing development schemes justifies enhanced borrowing limits.
Seminar on EAPs in Shillong
Addressing a seminar on “Leveraging EAPs in North-Eastern States” in Shillong, Sarma said the northeast has demonstrated its ability to effectively utilise funds provided through projects backed by multilateral financial institutions and development agencies.
Later, in a post on X, Sarma said, “On behalf of Assam and our sister states in the northeast, I made a passionate appeal to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to allow our governments access to enhanced limits through Externally Aided Projects (EAP), keeping in view our exceptional track record and honest implementation of schemes and projects.”
Role of EAPs in Assam's Development
The chief minister said EAPs have played a significant role in enabling Assam to undertake several large infrastructure and development projects that would otherwise have been difficult because of the high cost of capital.
According to Sarma, projects worth around Rs 53,000 crore are currently underway in Assam under the EAP framework. These span sectors such as bridges, embankments, healthcare, robotics, power generation and other major infrastructure initiatives. “Over the past few years, these projects, backed by multilateral financial agencies, have empowered Assam to initiate multiple mega transformative projects, which were initially considered unviable due to the high cost of capital,” he said.
Global Best Practices and Project Management
Highlighting the broader benefits of such funding mechanisms, Sarma added, “Needless to say, Externally Aided Projects also bring in vibrant project management skills and global best practices into our government machinery.”
The chief minister said the seminar provided an opportunity for states in the region to strengthen cooperation and improve planning for implementation of externally funded projects.
Examples of Successful EAP Projects
In a statement, the chief minister’s office said Sarma highlighted Assam’s development trajectory and cited the successful completion of the EAP-funded Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project in three-and-a-half years as an example of efficient execution.
He also referred to the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu in Guwahati and the under-construction Dhubri-Phulbari bridge as examples of the state’s ability to effectively utilise externally aided funding for major infrastructure projects.
Sarma said the seminar’s inaugural session served as “an excellent platform to improve collaboration and planning in the implementation of such projects”.
