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Railway expedites 498-km Bilaspur-Manali- rail line Maharashtra speeds up 500-km long Konkan expressway

n view of the heightened tension along the he state government in Maharashtra Iborder with China, the Central Government Thas decided to build 500-km green field has accelerated the process of building Konkan expressway and in this connection, Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Kullu Manali-Leh railway Maharashtra State Road Development line and the process of land acquisition and Corporation (MSRDC) has issued a RFQ to alignment survey is currently in full swing. appoint consultancy services to prepare a The Railways authorities asked the Mandi feasibility report and detailed project report on district administration to engage workforce to the upcoming project. Prior to this, state urban complete the entire work quickly. The 498-km for the ambitious project had been started in development department had announced that a green field expressway will be constructed Bilaspur–Leh rail project had been expedited Bilapsur and Mandi districts and are currently district. The project would help boost coastal along the Maharashtra coastline, connecting at an initial investment of Rs 345 crore and the in final stages. The Bilaspur–Leh line would tourism and reduce stress on the Mumbai- the three districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri, and line is a proposed high-elevation all-weather be the highest railway track in the world, Goa National Highway, vice-chairman and Sindhudurg. The state is looking at starting broad gauge track that would connect Bilaspur overtaking the current record of the Qinghai– managing director, MSRDC, Radheshyam the expressway from Chirle in Raigad where in to Leh in . Tibet railway line. Once this railway line is Mopalwar, said, adding that the consultant will the under-construction 22-km sea-bridge – the It would either link to the completed, Leh will directly be connected look at the feasibility of the project along with Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) – ends. network via an extension of the Kangra valley to Himachal Pradesh and the rest of . the social and environmental impact and will The expressway will extend up to Patradevi and would finally be converted to broad gauge This would apart from increasing tourism also suggest a financial model to be adopted at the Maharashtra-Goa border in Sindhudurg connecting Mandi and Bilaspur from Kalka. potential in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh for the mega project. Mandi Deputy Commissioner Rugved Thakur also facilitate quicker movement of troops and said, adding that land acquisition process equipment in time of crisis. Centre fast tracks Rs. 2,100-cr Nashik Metro project TN floats tenders for Rs. 12,000-cr road infra contracts he Nashik Metro project proposal, which approvals, claimed official sources, elaborating Tentailed an investment of Rs. 2,100 crore, that the Union ministry of housing & urban he road highway department in Tamil Nadu sources, the state government's e-procurement has reached in the advanced stage of its affairs (MoHUA) has already forwarded the Thas floated 1,000 tenders for road widening, system, the highways department has a approval as the detailed project report (DPR) DPR to the ministries concerned. Once the building of bridges, flyovers and other projects massive 992 tenders that are active. It is learnt has been forwarded to the Union ministry of two ministries examine the details of the involving a staggering investment of Rs 12,000 that of them, 500 pertain to improvement in finance and ministry of railways for mandatory project and approve it, the proposal will be crore. These tenders, which include widening road infrastructure and works include Rs 2,000 Continue on Page 2 and strengthening of roads as well as flyovers, crore to improve village roads, Rs 6,000 crore were floated after getting administrative for widening and strengthening roads and the sanction from the finance department and rest for building bridges and flyovers, including technical approval from the chief engineer of the 10.1 km Avinashi Road flyover which was the highways department. Normally highways sanctioned recently during the budget. Most of and PWD call for such tenders based on the projects are being awarded next month and administrative sanction but as it is capital the chief engineer's office is working round the expenditure, it is incurred over an extended clock collecting the data, design and preparing period usually 18-24 months. According to tender documents.

Bombardier bags Kanpur & trains’ contracts he Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation by Bombardier Transport India at its plant Thas awarded the contract for supply, testing in Savli, Gujarat. The Mass Rapid Transit and commissioning of 201 coaches/cars for 67 System (MRTS) proposed in Kanpur and trains as well as train control and signaling Agra is characterized by a short inter-station system for Kanpur and Agra Metro projects to distance of about one km between stations, Bombardier Transport India. Each Metro train having a maximum design speed of 90 kmph (with three cars each) will have the capacity to and schedule speed of 80 kmph. The selection accommodate around 980 passengers (315- of technology for UP Metro trains is governed 350 passengers per coach/car) at a time, primarily by design considerations for energy Managing Director (UPMRC) Kumar Keshav, efficiency, reliability, comfort to passengers in said, adding that the state-of-the-art modern terms of riding quality, lower-noise level, and stainless steel trains will be manufactured environment friendliness, he claimed.

Puravankara plans 11 residential realty projects

he Bengaluru-based realty player director Ashish Puravankara, said adding TPuravankara Group plans to launch that the company is expecting revenue of 11 residential projects with a total saleable over Rs 6,000 crore from these 11 projects area of around 10.23 million sqft this fiscal. with an average realization of Rs 7,500 per The company, which has already launched sqft from Purvanakara projects (2.67 million two projects in the first quarter of the fiscal, sqft) and Rs 5,500 per sqft from Provident plans to launch a total of six projects under projects (7.56 million sqft). The company has the Purvanakara luxury brand and five launched two projects, one each in Pune and under the Provident affordable housing Bengaluru, in the first quarter of the fiscal year brand. Despite Covid- 19 pandemic, there is through digital platform, and plans to continue demand for projects that offer the right size, to keep up the momentum at least for the next right price and right location, and the player few months. is seeing a good response for that, managing

INDIAN INFRASTRUCTURE & TENDERS WEEK 1 Continued From Page 1 UKIBC-MIDC inks MoU to explore newer biz avenues PWD in Kerala invites bids placed before the Union cabinet for the final he UK India Business Council recently recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, the for elevated highway nod. The project, known as Metro-Neo, is the Tsigned a Memorandum of Understanding need for expanded trade, investment, and first of its kind in the country as rubber-tyred (MoU) with Maharashtra Industrial collaboration between the UK and India only AC bus coaches would run on two 32 km Development Corporation (MIDC), to help increases” long elevated corridors with overhead electric Maharashtra to proactively better its business Principal Secretary (Industries), B. Venugopal wires and will house a total number of 30 environment and strengthen its collaboration Reddy, in his address said that Maharashtra stations between the corridors. While part of with British business. The agreement was the project cost would be borne by the Union state looks forward to further strengthen its was signed at a virtual roundtable by Dr. P and the state governments, the other part of business relations with the UK, by diversifying Anbalagan, CEO of MIDC and Mr. Kevin the funding would be raised by borrowings. and expanding the activities and with a thrust McCole, Managing Director, UKIBC in Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation would on manufacture of engineering components, the presence of Mr. B Venugopal Reddy, be the implementing agency for the project capital goods and industry 4.0. he Public Works Department, Kerala, has Principal Secretary, Industries, Government and that the state government has already This was followed by roundtable discussions recently invited bids for upgradation of of Maharashtra, Alan Gemmell, Her Majesty’s T approved the DPR before it was sent to on the economic and social contribution UK Alappuzha Changanassery Road into semi- Trade Commissioner, South Asia, Department MoHUA, said sources. businesses make to Maharashtra, their future elevated highway in the state, said an official of International Trade and a range of major investment plans, the State Government’s spokesperson, claiming that the project will UK investors in Maharashtra. Welspun unveils Rs. 900-cr plans to re-grow the economy, and on the be undertaken on engineering, procurement Addressing the audience on the occasion, importance of international trade achieving his and construction (EPC) mode and is slate to warehousing project Kevin McCole, Managing Director, UKIBC, self-reliant India objective. be completed in 30 months period. It is worth n order to build top class product stocking said: “I am really pleased to be enhancing Dr. Anbalagan, CEO MIDC, said “MIDC mentioning here that the state government Ifacilities, One Logistics Parks (WOLP) has our already strong relationship with the reiterates its determination towards the through the government of India has received recently decided to invest over Rs 900 crore Government of one of the most business- sustenance of our enhanced relations financing from the World Bank towards the to develop a 110-acre warehousing park in friendly States in India. We have already between Maharashtra and the UK. The MoU cost of the First Resilient Kerala Program, Bhiwandi on the outskirts of Mumbai. The achieved a great deal together, and the with UKIBC reflects our enduring support to and it intends to utilize a part of the proceeds company‘s maiden project with a leasable area signing of the MoU will take our partnership to UK businesses showcasing their commitment towards payments for the upgradation of of 3.2 million sq ft is located on a contiguous the next level. This, I think, is vitally important toward intensifying strategic investment plans Alappuzha-Changanassery Road under land parcel fully owned by the promoters of because, as our economies and societies in Maharashtra”. Rebuild Kerala Initiative (RKI), he added. Welspun Group, the Goenkas. The integrated fund, asset, and development management Arunachal Pradesh gets Rs. 933-cr highway project company has entered into a pact with the Govt clears Rs. 1,691-cr government of Maharashtra for this project and he ministry of road, transport & adding that the four-lane road project from border road network the necessary approvals are being sought under highways (MoRTH) has given financial, Hollongi to Banderdewa ―is a very crucial T n its unfailing quest to build world class the Integrated Logistics Parks (ILP) policy. This administrative and technical sanctions for infrastructure project for the state in every road network across the border areas, development has further cemented the focus in the remaining two packages of the Itanagar aspect. The agreement has already been I the government has recently approved an the warehousing sector and that the company is to Banderdewa four-lane highway project signed for Packages 1, 2 and 4 and that the additional Rs 1,691 crore for roads to be built optimistic and view this as one of the only asset involving Rs. 933 crore investments. These other five packages and that the letter of by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in classes, especially in the current context, which are Package B, from the Jully trijunction acceptance (LOA) has already been issued. Jammu & Kashmir and during the provides both attractive development returns (Papu Hapa) to Nirjuli, and Package C, from The detailed project report for the Pasighat current fiscal. Of this, Rs 1,351.10 crore has and stable long-term yields, said B.K. Goenka, Nirjuli to Banderdewa for the former the to Naharlagun stretch has been submitted Chairman, adding that the park in Bhiwandi is been sanctioned to BRO for building roads total length if 11 km costing Rs 496 crore to the government and survey is going on well suited to meet the requirements of a large in Jammu & Kashmir, the road transport and and Package C involving an investment of for the remaining section. Another road number of end users including e-commerce, highways ministry said in a communication to Rs 437 crore for 7.5 km stretch. At present infrastructure project – the frontier highway third party logistics (3PL), fast moving consumer Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) the work on Package A, from Chandranagar – which will connect villages located along goods (FMCG) and consumer durables (FMCD), Director General Lt Gen Harpal Singh, to the Jully tri-junction, is in progress, the international border, is being taken up on modern retail, pharmaceutical and thus far has elaborating that a total of Rs 340 crore Chief Engineer, Highway, Kuru Sera said, fast tracked basis. been very well received by large occupiers. ceiling has been approved for Uttarakhand for national highways and has also given nod for additional sanction of Rs 71 crore for highway works by the state's Public Works Department in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Sikkim. Besides, it has also enhanced the total ceiling to Rs 1,955 crore for highways work for Nagaland under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) from the existing Rs 1,081 crore as the competent authority has approved the additional sanction ceiling for NH(O) works for the year 2020-21 to states /UTs of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Nagaland, Sikkim for state PWDs and for state/ UT of Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand for BRO.

GHMRC floats tender for Rs. 805-cr metro rail contract

n order to offset the delay caused by Ithe Covid-19, the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) has recently invited bids for carrying out works on the Rail Project Phase-1 involving an investment of Rs. 805.15 crore. The metro project in question entailed scope of work, among others including construction of 11.6 km elevated viaduct from Kadarsha Ni Nal to Dream City Dead End, including ramp for depot entry near Dream City and 10 stations (excluding E&M architectural finishing and roofing) for Surat Metro Rail Project Phase-1, Package-CS1. The project commands a completion period of 30 months, said an official spokesperson.

2 INDIAN INFRASTRUCTURE & TENDERS WEEK Noida unveils Rs. 467-cr elevated road corridor U’khand steers clears three roads on border with China

o ensure the smooth flow of vehicular traffic and has started piling for one pillar near Sector mid heightened tensions between India border areas. The proposal was recently cleared Tin the twin satellite cities of Noida and 49 and the project will be commissioned as Aand China, the Uttarakhand government at a meeting of the State Wildlife Advisory Board, Greater Noida in the NCR region, the Noida quickly as possible, said Mukesh Vaish, project has approved the construction of road in chaired by Chief Minister . authority has started the construction work on engineer of Noida authority. For the piling the protected National Park for The total length of the road to be constructed will 5.5 km elevated stretch over Dadri-Surajpur- work, a few laborers are at the site as bulk of construction of strategically important roads on be 35.66 km with three different stretches that Chhalera (DSC) road at a cost of Rs. 467 the work is being carried out with construction the China border. The roads aimed at reducing have been planned included Sumla-Thangla crore. The elevated road will start from Sector equipments. The authority had roped in considerably the distance to the border and (11.85 km), Mandi-Sangchokla (17.60 km) and 39/43 crossing and end at Sector 82 Tpoint and state-owned agency -- Uttar Pradesh Bridge facilitate the movement of Indo-Tibetan Border Tripadi-Rangmachgaad (6.21 km), said Anand Police personnel and Army soldiers, who at Bardhan, Uttarakhand‘s principal secretary once developed it will decongest major traffic in Corporation -- for constructing the elevated present have to make a detour of 15-25 km in (forests), adding that the project in question is to Noida‘s Barola, Bhangel, and sectors 49, 45, stretch to provide seamless connectivity to the tough terrains to reach their posts in remote be built on fast tracked basis. 47 and 46, among other areas. The authority countless road users travelling from Delhi side has started piling work at Sector 49 project to the special economic zone (SEZ) in Phase 2 site. It needs to build 143 pillars for the project area and Sector 82. WB injects $250-mn in TN’s affordable housing sector he World Bank has signed agreements role of the state from being the main provider worth $250 million to promote private Godrej lunches big ticket realty project at Worli in Mumbai T to an enabler. According to the Bank, the sector role in developing affordable housing in second operation will try to make the affordable dding to its project portfolio in the realty than 1,500 families living in slum dwellings. Tamil Nadu. In this connection an agreement housing sector more efficient and inclusive in Asector, Godrej Properties has entered The project was initially started in 2002 with was signed between the World Bank, the the state which is the most urbanized in India, into an agreement with realty developer a few other partners who are not part of the Indian Central government and the Tamil Nadu Bank's Senior Urban Economist Yoonhee Kim Akshaya Sthapatya (ASPL) to jointly develop venture anymore. It was stuck for almost a state government. Of the funds to be provided said, adding that the global experience shows a 1.1 million sq ft residential project at Worli, decade due to regulatory logjam over Coastal through the World Bank's International Bank for that the public sector alone cannot address Mumbai, said sources, adding that the sea-view Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. A spokesperson Reconstruction and Development, $200 million a growing housing demand, especially as project is the first such deal in the country since for Dynamix Group confirmed the alliance will go to the First Tamil Nadu Housing Sector countries undergo rapid urbanization. Almost Strengthening Program as the first of two the Covid-19-led lockdown sent realty sector and said the estimated free sale component half the state's population is urban and the operations. The first operation is to support the percentage is expected to rise to 63 per cent haywire. The project will be spread over 5 is approximately 1.17 million sq ft, subject to government's efforts "to increase the availability by 2030 and it is estimated that 16.6 per cent acres and will include rehabilitation of the more statutory approvals, including CRZ clearance. of affordable housing by gradually shifting the of the state's urban population lives in slums. U’khand approves Rs. 2,200-cr extensive mobility network HP pushes tunnel project on Gramphu-Sumdho highway he extensive Mobility Plan of the has awarded the contract to the DMRC for the he state government in Himachal Pradesh impossible to open the road stretch for traffic. project entailing ropeway projects and also delivered the first T is contemplating to build tunnel ensuring After completion of Rohtang tunnel this year, an investment worth Rs. 2,200 crore got installment of Rs 43.30 lakh to DMRC. The T all weather traffic flow below the 15,000ft high there are chances that the road till the base approval from the state government. The state is building Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) Kunzum pass on Gramphu-Sumdho highway, of the Kunzum can be kept open in the winter project included the construction of Personal project for city and also constructing forest and tribal development minister Ram Lal season as well. If Kunzum pass is bypassed Rapid Transit (PRT) project in Haridwar city a Light Metro project from Haridwar to Markanda said, adding that Rs 200 crore has by a tunnel, maintenance of the highway will and also the construction work of Metro Light and crisscrossing Nepali Farm already been sanctioned for maintenance of be very easy. This is an important highway in Haridwar to Rishikesh and Nepali Farm to upto Vidhan Sabha Corridor, State urban the highway. The highway near Kunzum Pass as besides being a lifeline for locals, it is an Vidhan Sabha Corridor. In addition, the state development minister, Madan Kaushik, said is in poor condition and is sinking regularly. important route for tourists and in view of this, government is also building the ropeway adding that he had signed the contract with In the winter, the pass is covered with 50 ft efforts are being made to make the highway system in , Rishikesh along with the DMRC. He said adding that till date the thick blanket of snow, which makes it virtually double-lane, he added. Haridwar to decongest traffic in the city. ropeway system is not being utilized as a According to sources, a DPR for the ropeway mode of mass transport at any other place system is being executed with the Delhi in India and Dehradun will be the 1st city to Metro Rail Corporation in the Dehradun city. adopt this system with twin routes, one from Along with this, the state government also Forest Research Institute – Rispana Bridge approved the metro project from Haridwar- by Clock Tower and the 2nd one from ISBT – Rishikesh, Dehradun-Nepali Farm. The state Madhuban Hotel by Clock Tower.

Railway starts construction of Rs. 250-cr bridge in TN

ndian Railways has started the construction of Pamban. Rameswaram Island is in full Iof a new railway bridge at the Pamban Sea, swing and that the project is slated to be Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district commissioned in two years. The Pamban of Tamil Nadu entailing an investment of railway bridge, which directly connects Rs. 250 crore. For the project, the logistical Rameswaram Island with the Mandapam materials required for the construction and landscape, is nearly over 100 years old. allied activities are kept near the Mandapam Now, the construction of new railway bridge railway station. The Construction of pillars is going on in the Pamban northern side and testing completed at Mandapam Thonithurai after completion, it is going to be an ideal in the north coast of Pamban. As of now, tourist destination, which in turn further boosts the construction of pillars at the north coast economic activities in the area.

Gadkari opens VVDN Technologies newGlobal Innovation Park in Manesar

he Union transport minister, Nitin Gadkari Equipment, Trackers, Dash cams, Cameras, Trecently inaugurated VVDN Technologies Wi-Fi Access Points. The minister who was newGlobal Innovation Park (GIP) spreading connected with video conferencing said, “It across 10 acres in Manesar, Haryana, via is an achievement for Government of India’s video conferencing. The Park, which houses vision for an “Atamanirbhar Bharat when Research & Development and Electronic Indian Tech companies like VVDN take on Manufacturing Facility, is one of its kind in India the challenge of Designing and Manufacturing will have a capacity to accommodate 1,00,000 high-tech electronic products and components (1 lakh) people over the next three years. With in India and set their eyes for global success”. the new Global Innovation Park facility, VVDN Through his letter PM conveyed his heartiest will have a multifold increase in its current congratulations and best wishes to VVDN’s capacity for electronic product engineering team for their efforts to make India self and manufacturing for a wide range of reliant and self sufficient India. VVDN’s CEO innovative versatile solutions including 5G Bhupender Saharan said.

INDIAN INFRASTRUCTURE & TENDERS WEEK 3 Kerala approves Rs. 2,000- Karnataka cracks Rs. 310-cr highway widening CIL targets Rs. 15,700-cr cr infrastructure projects he state government in Karnataka has take this road to reach airport, instead of passing transport infrastructure Tchalked out a plan to widen Bengaluru- via Bengaluru city and taking the congested n an attempt to fast track the coal Tumkur highway up to the Kempegowda Outer Ring Road. The works have been divided Ievacuation across the coal blocks, Coal International Airport (KIA) connecting score into three packages; Nelamangala to Madhure India has decided to invest Rs 15,700 crore of districts via a 32 km long four lanes signal- (15 km), Madhure to Rajanukunte (15 km) and in its first-mile connectivity (FMC) projects free corridor costing Rs. 310 crore. The road Rajanukunte to KIA Road (nine km) and a new thereby encompassing 14 additional projects which branches off the Bengaluru-Tumkur railway over bridge at Narayanapura and the from its earlier targets of 35 projects. The highway from Nelamangala is connected to extension of the current railway over bridge, company already transports 151 million ton KIA via Madhure and Rajanakunte, an official extending to the Tank Bund Road. Besides (mt) of coal through mechanized system and spokesperson, KC Ashwath Kumar said, airport connectivity, this road will also act as loads through Coal Handling Plants (CHP) elaborating that the road work is already on and a bypass for the traffic from Hassan, Tumkur and Silos from 19 projects which will now is expected it to be completed in 30 months. roads to Hyderabad Road as crossing the ORR be increased 557 mt by 2023-24 through Once ready, commuters from Hassan Road, to reach the airport costs commuters two hours projects in Phase-1. Phase-2 projects will start he governing body and executive body Tumkur Road, Magadi and Nelamangala can due to the heavy congestion there. contributing once the formalities of finalization of state government (KIIFB) recently T are over. Under Phase-I of the project, the approved 55 new projects involving an state owned miner has zeroed down on 35 investment worth Rs 2,002.72 crore. Most TSML seals Chromite mining deal in Odisha projects, each having 4 mt of capacity from of the new projects are pertained to building ata Steel Mining Limited (TSML), clearances for two years as well as declared six of its subsidiaries with a capital of Rs railway over bridges, roads and other bridges. has recently sealed the execution of the company successful bidder before 12,300 crore with their combined project The body decided to generate Rs 1,100 crore T mining lease deal for Kamarda Chromite formally communicating the grant order capacity is 406 mt. Under the phase-2 project, funds from International Finance Corporation Mine and Saruabil Chromite Mine in Jajpur enabling the lease for execution. Commenting 14 additional projects have been identified (IFC), a subsidiary of World Bank, which has which will entail an investment of Rs 3,400 district of Odisha. The agreements were on the development, M C Thomas, managing already approved the assistance. The board crore having a capacity to handle 100.5 mt formally signed by Ranjan Kumar Das, IAS, director, TSML said that the company is concluded that loan from IFC will also help of coal. Of the 14 projects in the phase II, Collector and District Magistrate, Jajpur, and thankful of the state government for the availing loan from other major international Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) accounts for five M C Thomas, Managing Director, Tata Steel exceptional support in processing these agencies like JICA and ADB. IFC will also with 62.5 million tons per annum capacity. Mining Limited. These mines were auctioned approvals in less than 30 days from the date render technical assistance for public private Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd with a solitary project by the government of Odisha and the leases of LoI and this is a significant milestone for partnership projects financed by KIIFB. The has 20 million tons per annum capacity. are granted for a period of 50 years. Among Tata Steel Mining Limited. governing body sanctioned Rs 1,030.80crore Eastern Coalfields Ltd has seven projects the commercial leases which expired on for land acquisition for Kochi-Bengaluru and South Eastern Coalfields Ltd has one March 31, 2020, and auctioned, these are industrial corridor. Prior to this, KIIFB had project with a capacity of 14 million tons the first leases to be converted into mining approved Rs 12,710 crore for land acquisition, per annum and four million tons per annum, leases, across India. After becoming the mostly in Palakkad district, for the project. respectively. FMC is the transportation of coal highest bidder, the company was given a Taluk hospital, Peravur in Kannur, will get Rs from pitheads to dispatching points. The move Vesting Order by Government of Odisha in 22.16 crore for infrastructure improvement aims to replace the existing road transport May this year. TSML has completed all steps while taluka hospital, Malayinkeezhu, will between the two points and switch over to a such as upfront payments, execution of Mine get Rs 15.25 crore for construction of new seamless mechanized coal transport through Development and Production Agreement buildings. Till date, KIIFB has approved 730 conveyor belts which is a covered system for (MDPA) as well as maintained all other movement of coal reducing the dust pollution. projects under various departments involving eligibility criteria. The Odisha government, It will also have the added benefit of computer a combined investment of Rs 56,394 crore. in its part, granted vesting order with all the aided loading of railway wagons.

Mumbai expands metropolitan region’s ambit

he Urban Development Department in MMR comprises eight municipalities – Greater TMaharashtra has extended the area of Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Navi Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to add parts Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi-Nizamapur, of Palghar, Vasai, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Ambernath, Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayandar – and nine Karjat, Khalapaur, Pen and Alibaug. The move municipal councils, with more than 1,000 villages has brought a population of 12 lakh under the in Thane and Raigad districts. According to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development newest notification, the area up to the eastern Authority. The Maharashtra legislature had limits of Palghar tehsil, Vasai tehsil up to Tansa passed the proposal to extend the limits of river, Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Ambernath tehsils MMR to include nearly 2,000 sq km area in will now be part of MMR. The villages along the June 2019 when the previous government was foothills of Sahyadri in Karjat tehsil – from Shelu in power, UDD‘s joint secretary SD Landge to Kalamboli Tarf Waredi, Takwe, Banjarwadi, said, elaborating that the decision was taken Sawale, Hedawali, Mandawane, Bhivpuri by former chief minister for unified development (camp), Humgaon, Saidongar, Dhak, Salpe, of multiple projects in a larger area, and will Kharwandi up to village Chochi – will also be help use natural resources optimally. The included, he added.

Gujarat floats affordable rental housing schemes

n a major boost to housing sector in the facilities on rent at affordable rates. The state Istate, the Gujarat government has decided government‘s policy is similar to the Union to introduce a new affordable rental housing government‘s proposed rental housing policy policy under which the government will envisaging injecting boost to the real estate incentivize affordable rental housing projects sector, the move will also bring into use the through the public private partnership (PPP) piled-up housing inventory. As a matter of fact, mode. More importantly, the government is there are over 8,000 constructed apartments considering a proposal to use plots of land of the Gujarat Housing Board (GHB) that are reserved for economically weaker sections lying vacant because of various reasons. The (EWS) housing projects to create large government aims to offer all these properties scale rental housing facilities under the under the affordable rental housing policy. A PPP mode. The government will offer plots very large chunk of migrant workers do not get reserved for EWS housing in all areas of all housing facilities and now such persons will cities to private developers ensuring that the benefit from the proposed affordable rental floating population of cities can get housing housing policy., said an official spokesperson.

4 INDIAN INFRASTRUCTURE & TENDERS WEEK NHAI kick-start construction of Rs. 4,215-cr six-lane highway DMRC launches casting work on Janakpuri-Ashram metro line

he NHAI has initiated work on the 132- expanding the NH network and widening the significant milestone has been achieved Noida section and in this case, the casting Tkm long six-lane Dankuni-Panagarh existing highways to enhance their capacity Aby in its Phase 4 project work work of u-girders is being carried out at the super highway stretch at an investment of Rs. under Bharatmala Pariyojana. The project by commencing the casting work of u-girders designated casting yard for this section 4,215 crore. The new highway will lead to the includes access controlled six lanes ensuring which are being installed on Janakpuri West– situated in Mundka. For DMRC, this is a complete elimination of black spots and will safe and faster movement with the service RK Ashram metro corridor‘s elevated section, major milestone, as despite the unavailability also reduce the travel time from 2 hours to lanes on either side of the highway to ease said an official spokesperson, claiming that on of the adequate labour force due to the 1.2 hours. The National Highways Authority the movement of people and traffic. All this corridor, u-girders that are of 28 metres in ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as other of India (NHAI) had floated the tender for junctions will have elevated flyovers for main length are being installed shortly. Prior to this, lockdown related constraints, the casting yard the project on March 29, but kept extending carriageway to pave the way for seamless such 28 metre long u-girders were installed was readied by Delhi Metro within a record the time due to the lockdown to ensure the movement of traffic and reduce the travel on the Dilshad Garden–Shaheed Sthal Delhi period of 94 working days. In totality, as many participation of maximum bidders, said the time. There will be flyovers, Road over Bridge Metro corridor. While 27 metre long u-girders as 56 such u-girders shall be produced every NHAI chief general manager R P Singh. (ROB), vehicular underpass and pedestrian were also installed on the Noida–Greater month at this casting yard. The tremendous spurt in vehicular load on underpass. The project will be executed on national highways prompted the ministry of BOT basis and its viability largely depends on ANDRITZ wins equipment contracts for hydro plant in J&K road transport and highways to decide on the volume of toll-able traffic. he Austria-based technology company project would generate 2,272.02 million units MoRTH announces Rs. 12,000-cr Surat-Ahmednagar NH project TANDRITZ announced the bagging of over in a 90 per cent dependable year, the company Euro 50 million contracts from Chenab Valley said in a statement, adding that the contract dding to the existing road network in the the process of land acquisition is being started Power Projects for supplying the complete includes supply, design, manufacture, erection, Astate, the Union Transport Minister has shortly as the highway would go a long way electro-mechanical equipment for the run-of-the- testing and commissioning of four turbines recently announced the construction of the first to decongest vehicular traffic between Surat river 624 megawatt Kiru hydropower plant on and generators, associated accessories and green field 421-km national highway project and Mumbai thereby streamlining smooth the Chenab river in Kishtwar district of Jammu & auxiliaries like electrical equipment, mechanical between Surat in Gujarat and Ahmednagar traffic flow between Mumbai and Pune among Kashmir. Chenab Valley Power Projects is a joint equipment, 400 kV GIS and 400 kV outdoor in Maharashtra at an investment Rs 12,000 others it will also pass through Nashik and venture company between NHPC Ltd, JKSPDC, pothead yard equipment. It will be executed crore. In this connection, plans are ready and Solapur districts in Maharashtra. a government of J&K undertaking, and power by ANDRITZ‘s Indian subsidiary with its trader PTC India Ltd. The company secured manufacturing facilities in Mandideep, near NHAI floats tenders for Rs. 1,053-cr intermodal station the contract through tough competition in an Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, and Prithla, near international competitive bidding process. The Faridabad, in Haryana. ational Highways Authority of India be asked to convert Ajni into the main railway N(NHAI) has floated tenders for the station of the city and that the ‘s AP approves Rs. 3,736-cr for Ramayapatnam Port phase-I of intermodal station (IMS) at Ajni Congress Nagar station will be connected to he Andhra Pradesh government has entailing an investment of Rs 1,053.38 crore. the IMS with a foot over bridge (FOB) so that recently approved a detailed project report The project has to be completed in 2.5 years the travelers can reach the city airport directly T (DPR) of the Ramayapatnam Port in Prakasam and the contractor will have to maintain the by boarding the Metro at Congress Nagar district of the state to take up the first phase of facility for ten years. NHAI is required to get its station. The contractor will have to build the the project at an investment of Rs 3,736 crore design approved by Central Railway (CR) on main IMS building, a new railway station and the project will be commissioned in 36 whose land the project is coming up. The IMS building, FOBs, subways, internal roads and months. Industries Minister M Goutham Reddy will have connectivity between long distance new railway quarters, among others. NHAI said, explaining that the state government would buses, city buses, railways, Metro and will build new quarters in lieu of these and that provide Rs 100 crore for land acquisition. The indirect link with the city airport with parking the IMS will have space for parking 590 cars Chennai ports. It may be recalled that the then port is expected to handle granite and tobacco space for long distance buses and it will act in the main building and the ground floor will TDP government had given nod for the port exports from Prakasam and neighboring Guntur as a departure and arrival point for private remain reserved for arrivals. proposal and issued orders allotting 2,500 acres districts respectively. Currently, these industries buses. When the IMS is ready, railways will of land for the project and the then CM had also are largely dependent on Krishnapatnam and laid the foundation stone for the mega project.

INDIAN INFRASTRUCTURE & TENDERS WEEK 5 December – 2015

WB approves $500-mn for BRO speeds up works on the Manali-Leh highway DMRC starts work on Rs. 510- cross country road projects cr elevated stations in Bihar he Border Roads Organisation (BRO) after Col Chewang Rinchen Setu on Shyok he Delhi Metro Rail Co (DMRC), he World Bank has approved $500 Thas fast tracked the road construction river on Daulat Beg Oldi road in Ladakh, which is all set to award Rs. 510 million to build road connectivity along and bridge building works by deploying is also being readied for traffic this year. T T crore for the construction for an elevated the Jashore-Jhenaidah corridor directly the best machinery at all crucial points on Nearly 75% of the Manali-Leh highway has viaducts & 5 stations including Malai connecting Dhaka in Bangladesh with India the Manali-Leh highway, the main link for been two-lanned except for some stretches Pakri, Khemni Chak, Bhoothnath, zero and Bhutan. World Bank Country Director military supplies to border areas. In addition, and the widening of road is also continuing. mile & New ISBT for the metro project for Bangladesh and Bhutan Mercy Tembon it has also expedited work to complete major Widening and blacktopping of entire length of at Patna in Bihar, has recently opened said, adding that the project, among bridges including in places like Rohtang, the highway is likely to be completed by next technical bids. The technical bids for the others, will unlock the region‘s potential by Koksar, Stingri, , Keling Sarai, year. Along with final works in the tunnel, BRO tender called for a 6.107 km long section stimulating the economy of districts, linking , Pang or Rumtse, among others. It is building Palchan-Rohtang-Koksar stretch as this is a section of 17.95 km long farms to markets, connecting Dhaka with the is also remain in action mode to respond to a double-lane road. Meanwhile, Lahaul-Spiti corridor two of the project western region as well as with neighboring any situation including road blockades due to administration has also asked BRO to station that will connect Patna Railway Station – countries, thus enhancing trade, transit landslides. All road maintenance works are its machineries at landslide prone areas to New ISBT by 14 metro stations involving and logistics along the corridor. In addition, being executed at war footing. In fact, BRO is facilitate interruption free traffic movement Package PC-01 & PC-02 of Patna Metro it will also support the Bangladesh replacing old bailey bridges with newer ones in monsoon. Kullu and Mandi administration Rail project. As many as seven Indian government‘s plan of developing a 260 km and many new bridges have also come up have directed PWD and NHAI to make firms, which are vying to bag the project economic corridor in the western part and in the last few years, remaining bridges are sure that traffic is not interrupted due to involving a cost of about Rs 172.18 benefitting over 20 million masses. The expected to be ready in a year or two. Over landslides as Mandi-Kullu-Manali and Manali- crore, included URC Construction Western Economic Corridor and Regional 300m long Darcha bridge, the longest bridge Leh highway is currently busy with military Private Limited - Sam (India) Builtwell Enhancement (WeCARE) Phase I project is on Manali-Leh highway, and second longest convoys, said an official spokesperson. Private Limited - Dinesh Chandra R. the first of a multi-phased $1.4 billion World Agrawal Infracon Private Limited - Lisha Bank program to upgrade the existing 110 AIIB financing $800-mn Phase-II of Engineers Private Limited, Pinax Steel km two-lane highway, Bhomra-Satkhira- he Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank declared that global bids will not be called for Industries Private Limited - Quality Navaron and Jashore-Jhenaidah, to a safer (AIIB) has decided to finance $800 million projects up to Rs.200 crore investments. In a Buildcon Private Limited - YFC Projects and climate-resilient four-lane highway T for the 4th corridor of phase-II of Chennai Metro. related development, the New Ashok Nagar Private Limited. This New ISBT Depot in western Bangladesh, he added. The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment and Sahibabad sections of Delhi-Meerut will cover a distance of 31 km long World Bank is among the first development Bank (AIIB) is ready to implement a loan of RRTS corridor involving the construction of Phase 1 network of the project including partners to support Bangladesh following its $438.75 million to Chennai Metro project for 5.6 km underground tunneling section is also two corridors. independence and the country currently has the civil construction work of Chennai Metro‘s being awarded shortly. one of the largest IDA program worth over 47 km Line-5‘s 26 km segment connecting $13 billion. Since independence, the World CMBT with and $356.65 million Bank has committed more than $31 billion NHAI unveils J&K-Pangi valley connectivity in HP to support the 26.1 km Line 4 connecting in grants, interest-free, and concessional Lighthouse to Bypass. According nsuring round the year movement of all help in evading the earlier world‘s dangerous credits to the country. The first phase of to the officials, since AIIB is a multilateral type of vehicles on the most important rock-cut stretch on which only light vehicles the program will upgrade 48 km of the N7 E development bank, the clause would help road connecting Kishtwar district of Jammu can negotiate. The local administration highway between Jashore and Jhenaidah Indian companies along with adhering to PM and Kashmir with Himachal Pradesh as, in Kishtwar said that the work on the re- and improve about 600 km connecting rural call of Going Vocal to make Local as Make in among others, the project will also ensure alignment apart from generating jobs will also roads and 32 rural markets and growth India as the move will develop and promote that various villages in the remote Paddar increase the tourism potential of the Padder centres to stimulate the local economy as Indian partners as well as Indian investors and region in HP remains connected with other subdivision and Pangi valley of Himachal the credit has a 34-year term, including a help countrymen to attain self-sufficiency. The parts of the country through the year. In this Pradesh thus boosting the socioeconomic four-year grace period. clause should be entered while taking loans connection, Beacon has completed the re- development of the entire region. The road from all the multilateral development banks alignment work of Galhar-Sansari road from passes through rough mountain terrain with and in the tender report the FM has also 55.100 km to 58.775 km. This bypass road will overhanging half tunneling stretches, mostly in hard rock strata. The sector also experiences heavy snowfall, flash floods, and sub-zero temperatures during winters making tough working conditions for the GREF employees and the administration as well.

MoRTH focuses on EPC model for highway building ccording to the Union transport minister, ANitin Gadkari, road projects in the country are likely to be developed entirely on the government funded model called as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode to ensure faster execution of roads. This is so because currently private players are facing difficulties in raising finance. The government must opt for building projects on EPC mode, and monetizing them, instead of depending on the private sector to bring funds, which delays these projects. In the infrastructure sector, the government tried to encourage PPP, but those who have gone for BOT projects have faced difficulties on multiple fronts and the reason is that banks are not friendly towards them, and a lot of their time is wasted in raising finance. In such a situation, the government should build projects on EPC mode and monetize road assets with banks. The government will have to award more infrastructure projects to resolve the liquidity crisis in the country now and highways ministry has set itself a target of awarding 20,000 km of road projects in the current fiscal, while keeping the construction target to 15,000 km for the financial year.

6 INDIAN INFRASTRUCTURE & TENDERS WEEK