The government plans to launch more quick impact projects (QIPs) in East Asia and other countries under its developmental assistance programme as part of an effort to reach out to build its influence in these countries, many of which are of strategic importance, and to fight the impression that New Delhi lags behind in terms of completing projects, officials familiar with the programme said.
The QIPs mostly cover upgradation of physical infrastructure such as roads, local community centres, social infrastructure such as in the education, health, sanitation or community development sectors. The short gestation projects are aimed to directly benefit locals, with immediate and visible results.
Three QIPs in Lao PDR, two in Myanmar, and five projects in Cambodia and Vietnam are in the works. “Quick Impact Projects similar to the Small Development Project (SDP) have shorter gestation period and the results are for everyone to see”, said one of the officials who asked not to be identified. This person added that India’s focus on such projects has increased.
Under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) an initiative by six countries – India and five ASEAN countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam -- it has been decided to offer Indian grant assistance for implementation of small projects with capital cost of US$ 50000 (about ₹34 lakhs) under the QIP.