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.
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Maintenance incentive & community involvement will be checks and balances
Uttar Pradesh, one of the four states that enjoyed a slice of the World Bank aid totalling nearly $1.9 billion, has built 39,568 km of rural roads since the inception of PMGSY. Sanjeev Kumar, Commissioner, Rural Development, tells Shashidhar Nanjundaiah why there is a need for community monitoring systems.
Local self-government vital in maintenance
NABARD’s RIDF has disbursed Rs 1 lakh crore towards rural infrasÂtrucÂture including roads, but as CK Gopalakrishna, the bank’s Chief GeneÂral ManÂager & Chief Vigilance Officer, tells Janaki Krishnamoorthi, underperÂforÂmance of the assets is a worry.Government of India anÂnouÂnced in 1995-96 the scheme for setting up a fund to be operationalised by NABARD.
The Market-Accessors
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.
PPP in rural roads and infra is our aim in 12th Plan
As PURA gains momentum, rural roads are set to rope in private participation through 'bundling' the contracts-mainly, involving longer clusters of roads and of allied activities.
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,
Orissa's PMGSY fund spend
The Orissa government has utilised 95.29 per cent of the funds received under the Centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) till July-end.
Govt aid for Uttarakhand road development
The Ministry of Rural Development has released graÂnt in aid worth Rs 155.22 crore for construction of rural roads in Uttarakhand under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Chhattisgarh launches rural road programme
The Mukhya Mantri Gram Sadak Vikas Yojana (MMGSVY) has announced its own rural road connectivity programme in the name of chief minister.
Expertspeak: Engineering measures for Forgiving Roads
It is only recently that concrete recommendations have been accepted by MORTH for enforcing safety measures.

