The Model Concession Agreement (MCA) for National Highway development, which attracted aggressive bids soon after it was revised in 2009, was more of a first draft that also led to delays, disputes and project exits. As a cascading effect, this has resulted in fewer takers for new projects. Janaki Krishnamoorthi examines the revisions that are due in the MCA for highways.

With escalated construction costs excarberating to halved traffic growth projections, M Murali explains the startling fact that delays stood at an average of 73 per cent beyond the original timelines.

If there is a signal from the government for continuous development in the form of announcement of infrastructure projects, then equipment manufacturers will not shy away from further investments. A lot of manufacturers have come in, invested and are now waiting for such big projects to take off.

Urging the Krishna district administration to speed up the expansion and modernisation of Vijayawada airport (Gannavaram), the Andhra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has suggested to initiate the process of acquiring land in the process first.

Troubled by the decision of two leading developers to walk out of two large road contracts, key ministries led by the Prime Minister's Office have initiated a damage control exercise to ensure that other private developers do not follow suit, leaving behind a raft of halfbuilt highway projects.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering to drag union environment ministry to the court because of delay in granting environment clearance for road projects. It may be noted that recently road developer GMR Infrastructure withdrew from the contract to develop a meg

Lack of coordination between the various government agencies that are involved in the road/highway construction business and improper policy initiatives hamper the prospects of roads sector, experts feel. Private funding of infrastructure has become a mainstay of the Government of India’s policy towards infrastructure deve­lopment.

The first edition of India Construction Festival 2012 brought together the movers and shakers of the industry.

Over the last four years there has been increased private sector par­ticipation in infrast­ructure via Public Private Partnerships (PPP), and as an objective but active participant in docu­menting this growth,