NEW DELHI: Road ministry has ended the year on a high as it has awarded 62 projects covering 7,957 kms in the current fiscal, 57% higher than the previous year. The government is all set to achieve its earlier announced target of building 20 kms of road per day by 2013-14, as it has completed construction of 2,250 kms road in 2011-12, in comparison to 1,784 kms in the previous year.

In 2011-12, National Highways Authority of India(NHAI) has awarded 49 projects of 6,491 kms and the ministry awarded 13 projects for 1466 kms through state agencies. In all, 62 projects of 7,400 kms have already been awarded as against the target of 7,300 kms.

Some of the projects awarded have offered premium to the government and is likely to result in additional revenue generation of Rs 30,400 crore during the concession period.

“We want to accelerate this achievement further in 2012-13. We are confident of achieving the target of 8800 kms, said CP Joshi, Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways. Joshi added that bids for 1,500 kms are either under evaluation or due in April,2012.

In the recent bids, which opened on March 28 and March 30, NHAI received a phenomenal response with road project developers providing premium on seven projects that would earn Rs 6,451 crore whereas one project sought a premium.

Companies like L&T, Sadbhav Engineering and IVRCL were amongst some of the successful bidders for 8 projects entailing highway development of 1,144 kms, having an estimated cost of Rs 11,500 crore. IVRCL will provide the highest premium at Rs 145 crore. “The bids are far better than what we had anticipated. Even the single project which asked for grant, it was much lesser than our estimates,” said an NHAI official.

These companies have opted to provide premium to the government, instead of taking viability gap funding. The government provides VGF or grant to the project developers for ensuring viability of the projects.

L&T won two bids and thus would be completing the full stretch from Gujarat border to Amravati. This road connects Hazira port -Surat to Paradip and eventually Kolkata.

In addition, 3 projects in NHAI of 318 Kms. and 5 projects in the Ministry of 664 Kms. i.e. 982 Kms. in all, bids have been received, which are under evaluation and decision is to be taken soon. It is possible that the government may award a few hundred kms if some of these projects are cleared tomorrow.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com