If rural roads act as connectors between highways and tolled for heavy vehicles, they can be made more viable. In several states, rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and the NABARD-financed schemes are new and inviting.
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Category: Roads & Highways
Ro-Ro service works begin this month
Work on India's major ferry service for vehicles, cargo and passengers across the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat will start from January 25, according to Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB).The project will shorten the distance between Dahej in south Gujarat and Ghogha in Saurashtra region by close to 300 km.
Kerala plans monorail project
The public works departĂÂment (PWD) has prepared a detailed project report on the Kozhikode monorail project.The 13-km monorail will be from the Medical College to Meenchanda.The project was expected to cost Rs 1,500 crore, according to the state PWD minster.
ITDA builds 30 roads in tribal areas
The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Parvathipuram constructed 30 roads at a cost of Rs 15.20 crore in tribal areas under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA. Around 35,000 tribals are expected to be benefited when all scheduled road works are completed in the district.
Railways keen on PPP model for infrastructure
Railways is seeking the coĂÂoperation of the private sector for developing rail infrastructure in the country. For this purpĂÂose, Railways has framed pubĂÂlic-priĂÂvate participation (PPP) inveĂÂstment models for its exiĂÂsting as well as new projects. It has also drafted policy for priĂÂvate participation in rail connĂÂectiĂÂvity and capacity augĂÂmenĂÂtation projects.
Farmers donate land for road
Villagers of Tentulia in Murshidabad, about 250 km from Kolkata, set an example by donating 5 acre of agricultural land to build a road. The road will connect Mahalandi with Tentulia. Villagers who do not possess land are trying to help by providing labour. Tentulia village under Mahalandi in Kandi was disconnected from the mainland because there was no road.
Learn from highways to get processes right: Experts
If the nascent segment of rural roads must attract private participation to raise the quality bar,it needs to gain the confidence of the companies by doing its tendering processes right and offering government clearances upfront.Mahesh M Hiremath, COO, Karnataka Rural Roads Development Agency, one of the better state performers having upgraded nearly 15,000 km of rural roads to all-weather with an expenditure of Rs 3,371 crore under PMGSY.
Rural roads Country roads, take me home
A new opportunity knocks on the doors of private developers, especially those in the second-tier or contractors aspiring to be developers. Rural roads are all set to offer large opportunities this year as the government steps on the accelerator to see projects through, after the successful experiment by PMGSY especially in quality monitoring and maintenance contracts. Janaki Krishnamoorthi writes.
New scheme to lure cos to highway projects
The government has drawn up a new scheme of ultra mega road projects (UMRPs), where firms will have the right to develop real estate alongside the stretches. This is to boost the viability of road products without adding to fiscal stress and attract big corporations into the sector. Each UMRP will be marked for its sheer size - Rs 20,000 crore each - and the resultant gain on cost efficiency.
Less bidders for NHAI projects
November saw some moderation in competitive bidding for the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) road projects. NHAI has awarded nine projects in two weeks where the number of bidders was relatively less as compared to last two-three quarters.

