Global Competitive Index 2010 shows India needs better roads

September 13, 2010

The World Economic Forum has ranked 139 economies in its 2010-2011 Global Competitiveness Report.

In overall competitiveness India scores a passable 51^st place. It ranks notably ahead of Latin America’s powerhouse Brazil (58) and way ahead of its neighbours Pakistan (123), Sri Lanka (62) and Bangladesh (107), but behind China (27).

One of the indicators that compose the index is quality of roads. And here India ranks at a lowly 90^th place, behind China, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The index does not say what roads are to blame. But as any local observer will find, overcrowded local roads and substandard highways are the main problem.

The hope is that the report will lead to the obvious solution: building more toll roads to take the pressure of the troubled roads.

Source: The Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011 by the World Economic Forum

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Default

Guest Editorial: Mr. AV Suraj

September 10, 2010

Dear Readers,

I am glad to be a guest editor of Indian Tollways. During the last few months the highway industry is proud and optimistic with a dynamic new Transport Minister Shri. Kamal Nath.

Below mentioned plans of honorable minister if put into action, possess potential of giving a new lease of life to wide spread Indian road network. Infrastructure development may take a new turn. It seems road sector turnaround story in the making.

Let’s hope for good governance and performance.

Infrastructure sector-Growth Wheel of India: The story of India in the next decade will be the story of Infrastructure. Shri Nath says infrastructure will be the key and defining sector for India in the coming decade as was IT in the 90’s and the present decade.
Topping the priority List: Giving a world class infrastructure to India, has become the top most objective of Government. A well-knit and coordinated road network system plays an important role in the sustained economic growth of a country. Therefore, government’s first priority is rising to the challenge of maintaining and managing high growth through investment in infrastructure sector.
Setting Target: 12,000 km road aimed for the next year, 7000 will be on BOT (Toll basis) and 5000 km will be on annuity and EPC basis.
Feeling the Infra pulse: Transport Minister Mr. Kamal Nath announced that the road and highways section need an investment of around Rs 60,000 crore in the next 3 years.
Passionate Approach: The target of developing 20 km daily would be accomplished by April. We have reached 9 km per day of road construction. To construct 20 km of roads a day or 7,000 km a year, there had to be 20,000 km of work in progress.
Clearing Road Block: NHAI chairman Brajeswar Singh corroborated this saying they are in the process of setting up of 150 special land acquisition units at the project level.
Addressing Bottlenecks: Model Concession Agreement (MCA) is not the Gita or Bible that can’t be amended, Shri Nath added. Govt. assured private developers of fixing all their genuine concerns.The norms are being eased to attract better participation.

The economy seems to be stabilizing soon. Let us pray all goes well and the government kick-starts the good work on fast track and infra upliftment reaches a new high.

I am glad to be part of the online community of the industry and use this as a sounding board for the common issues faced by different concessionaires.

Thanks and Warm Regards
AV Suraj
Sr. Project Manager (BOT -Tolling)

(Mr. AV Suraj has got vast and rich experience in implementation of BOT National Highway Projects. He has also undertaken and supervised various toll and highway traffic management projects, all across India.)

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Guest Editorial, Spot Light