With a total of 5,151 projects envisaged across the 100 cities, works on 1,177 projects worth Rs 434.93 billion have started and about 677 projects are at the tendering stage.

Speaking exclusively to INFRASTRUCTURE TODAY, Prof Kirit Parikh, Chairman Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe) and author of the seminal report on pricing methodology for diesel, domestic LPG and PDS, believes that though the federal dispensation is presently offering lucrative terms to investors in the oil and gas sector, it must also ensure that those commitments are adhered to.

Essar Projects, a leading EPC (Engineering Procurement & Construction) company, has announced that it has won a contract for a 100-km pipeline from GSPL India Gasnet Ltd. (GIGL).

Members of Social Democratic Party of India staged a demonstration at Karunkalpalayam in late February, urging the Central Government to restrain GAIL

In Union Budget 2015, the Government has announced five new Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs), each of 4,000 MWs in plug-and-play mode. For projects in plug-and-play mode, all clearances and linkages will be in place before the project is awarded by a transparent auction system.

During the Eleventh Plan period (2007-2012), domestic players exceeded the planned capital expenditure outlay. They invested Rs 2,751.6 billion, 120 per cent of the planned target of Rs 2,289.9 billion.

A slew of measures to infuse the much-needed cash-flow into the infrastructure sector have been introduced to push growth. And Rs 8 lakh crore of equity is likely to find its way soon in the sector enriching the fund pool. However, missing links like deepening the bond market in the country

The Union Budget 2014-15 presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has laid an infra tarpaulin and created a mood for growth. An eBiz integrated portal where all ministries would be integrated by December is underway to facilitate business. The allocations are across the spectrum of infrastructure, manufacturing and social sectors.

The Finance Minister emphasised on the need to revive growth in the manufacturing sector. While allocating Rs 10,000 crore for start-up MSMEs, the Government has shown its commitment for financing this sector as it accounts for a big chunk of industrial output and employment.