SIX Laning of delhi-Dehradun National Highway
April 24, 2008
Delhi-Dehradun stretch of NH-58 & 72 has been identified for 4/6-laning under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase III on Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) mode based on the criteria of high density of traffic and connectivity of State capitals with corridors of NHDP Phase I & II . The present status of this stretch is as under:
- Delhi-Meerut section of NH-58 is already 4-laned and preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for 6-laning is in progress.
- The work of 4-laning of Meerut-Muzaffarnagar section of NH-58 on BOT basis is in progress and targeted for completion by March, 2009.
- The work of 4-laning of Muzaffarnagar-Haridwar section could not be awarded as only single bid was received and the same was cancelled. For re-bidding of this section, updation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) as per new Model Concession Agreement (MCA) as decided by Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) is in progress. The Haridwar-Dehradun section is passing through Rajaji National Park and clearance is to be obtained from the Central Empowered Committee constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. After clearance from Central Empowered Committee and PPPAC, bidding process is to be taken up for award of 4-laning work. It is too early to indicate the completion time of 4-laning work of Muzaffarnagar-Haridwar-Dehradun section at this stage. However, the same may not be completed by 2010 keeping in view the time taken in obtaining the clearance from Central Empowered Committee & PPPAC as well as response of bidders.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Source: pib.nic.in
STATUS OF WORK ON SELECTED HIGHWAY STRETCHES IN PUNJAB
April 23, 2008
The status of Chandigarh-Kiratpur, Amritsar-Pathankot and Jalandhar –Amritsar stretches are as under:
(i) Chandigarh-Kiratpur stretch: The Chandigarh-Kurali section is of 28.6 km length. Out of this, the stretch from km 0.0 to km 11.4 is four/six laned. Four laning from km 11.4 to 15.4 has been sanctioned for Rs.13.51 crore on 31.03.2008 by Ministry. Four laning of the remaining section from km 15.4 to 28.6 is to be taken up under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase – III. The 4 – laning of Kurali-Kiratpur section has been awarded in June 2007 on BOT basis and the work is likely to be completed by June 2010.
(ii) Jalandhar-Amritsar stretch : The Detailed Project Report (DPR) to take up the work of four- laning on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) toll basis for Jalandhar-Dhilwan section has been updated by the consultant. The bidding process shall be started after Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) clearance. The four – laning of Dhilwan to Verka Chowk, Amritsar section has been started in May 2006 and the work is targeted to be completed by November 2008.
(iii) Amritsar-Pathankot Stretch : The Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation for four laning of this stretch is in advance stage of completion. The bidding process shall be started after Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) clearance.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Source: pib.nic.in
DEVELOPMENT OF EXPRESSWAYS UNDER NHDP-VI
April 23, 2008
The following stretches under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-VI have been identified for implementation.
|
S. No. |
Name of Expressway |
Length (Km) |
Status of work |
|
1. |
Vadodara-Mumbai |
400 |
The consultant for fixing of alignment has been appointed. |
|
2. |
Delhi-Meerut |
66 |
The proposal from the consultants for fixing of alignment has been invited. |
|
3. |
Kolkata-Dhanbad |
277 |
|
|
4. |
Bangalore-Chennai |
334 |
The Delhi-Jaipur stretch was one of the stretches announced by the Finance Minister in his budget speech for the FY 2008-09 for construction of Expressway. The project was to be finally selected for implementation on the basis of traffic volume. However, in view of the upgradation of existing alignment to six lane under NHDP Phase-V, which will be sufficient to cater to the traffic volume for another 10-12 years, the new Expressway is not envisaged, at present.
NHDP Phase VI is targeted for completion by December 2015.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Source: pib.nic.in
NHAI terminates road contract awarded to MP-owned company
April 21, 2008
Parliament member Samba Siva Rao’s Progressive Constructions was unable to build 55km road
New Delhi: Under pressure for poor results and with the government seeking an overhaul of its management team, the National Highways Authority of India, or NHAI, the country’s road regulator, has begun axing contracts for non-performance, including those awarded to companies with powerful political connections.
These troubled contracts are partially to blame for holding up completion of the so-called Golden Quadrilateral that would connect four regions of India through 5,846km of four-laned highways. Within the last month, NHAI has cancelled two contracts and encashed their bank guarantees.
The more high profile of the two was the termination of a contract awarded to a company run by the family of a Congress party member of Parliament, Kavuru Samba Siva Rao.
“These contracts had to be terminated because they had defaulted,” said NHAI chairman N. Gokulram, refusing to discuss the matter further.
As many as eight contracts under the Golden Quadrilateral have already been terminated between 2006 and 2007. Of the 5,846km of highways that were to be four-laned under the project, NHAI is yet to complete 206km.
Hyderabad-based Progressive Constructions Ltd, which was set up by Rao, a four-term MP, and is managed by his son Bhaskar Rao, was not able to complete the 55km stretch even four years after the initial deadline expired. Consequently, NHAI terminated the contract and encashed a bank guarantee of around Rs50 crore submitted by the company when it was awarded the Sunakhala–Ganjam highway project.
NHAI officials, who did not wish to be identified, insist that this is just the beginning and it “would spare no one regardless of their political connections”.
A dozen contracts, whose performance is holding up completion of the Golden Quadrilateral project which was started by the National Democratic Alliance government in 1998, but is yet to be completed, are being scrutinized by NHAI.
According to officials in the ministry, Progressive was awarded the contract in 2001. The highway work was to be completed by 2004. When the contract was terminated last month, the company was only half-way done, with the project valued at Rs163 crore.
“I am not looking after these things (management). My son Bhaskar Rao runs the company,” said Rao, adding that there was also a feeling among contractors that “all was not well with NHAI.”
While the MP declined to elaborate the reasons for not being able to proceed with the project, he maintained that problems faced by the contractors, such as land acquisition, threat from Naxalites and law and order issues, have not been addressed.
“NHAI could not hand over the land within the time frame and in the sequence as was stipulated in the contract. This has affected the project,” insisted a senior executive with Progressive.
NHAI has also terminated the contract of Prakash-Atlanta, a joint venture between Prakash Building Associates Ltd and Atlanta Infrastructure Ltd, for failing to complete the Lucknow bypass on time. An NHAI officer said the regulator had also encashed the bank guarantee of Rs28 crore from the company.
However, the company says that it was its contractor who had initiated the termination proceedings. In a 14 March letter addressed to the NHAI chairman and the consulting engineer for the project, a copy of which was viewed by Mint, the contractor requested that the contract be terminated and NHAI provide compensation.
The letter said the contract was supposed to be completed in 30 months by August 2004. The contractor, however, alleged that a number of problems, including land acquisition and variance in scope of work, dogged the project.
“Another problem is the quality of the detailed project reports,” said an official with the company, who did not wish to be quoted. The project went to an arbitration tribunal following disputes over variation in costs of the project.
“Now it has become crystal clear to us that the policy of NHAI is to use the contractor as a resource and exhaust him completely before termination of the contract wrongfully and illegally, and further crippling the contractor by making demands on securities and bank guarantees,” the letter stated.
The letter also said the contractor filed two separate termination notices to NHAI. Each time, the contractor was persuaded to continue work on the project.
“On the one side, the government is insisting on completion. On the other side, bankers and shareholders are asking for results. So, any delay in finalizing the bills or making payments from government side may have lot of impact on the promoters credibility with the bankers and also with the government and of course the investors,” said Murali M., director general of the National Highways Builders Federation.
Source: livemint.com
Australia’s longest tunnel with Kapsch technology: Another contract from Australia for Kapsch TrafficCom AG
April 17, 2008
Kapsch TrafficCom will equip Australia’s longest tunnel. In March 2008, the company was able to secure contracts with a project sum of more than 11 million Australian dollars (more than EUR 6.4 million). More specifically, Kapsch will supply the road side equipment as well as the central telematics system for the tolling in the North-South Bypass Tunnel in Brisbane. With this contract, Kapsch TrafficCom is consolidating its strong market leadership in Australia.
“We are pleased about being awarded the contracts for equipping the North-South Bypass Tunnel. This traffic project emphasises Australia’s leading position in traffic systems and fully electronic toll systems. With this contract, Kapsch TrafficCom can also continue its success story in Australia – since 2000, several major projects have been realised in Australia – e.g. in Melbourne and Sydney”, explains Erwin Toplak, Management Board Member of Kapsch TrafficCom AG.
Upon its completion in 2010, the North-South Bypass Tunnel in Brisbane will be the longest in Australia. The tunnel, with a project length of 6.8 kilometres, includes two 4.8 km double-lane tunnel tubes. Kapsch TrafficCom is equipping this with a central traffic telematics system, including two signal bridges and a complete back-office solution. When complete the tunnel will create a new link for north-south traffic underneath Brisbane and will significantly reduce the volume of traffic in the city.
Further information also available at: www.rivercitymotorway.com.au
Kapsch TrafficCom AG is an international provider of innovative traffic telematics systems, products and services. Kapsch TrafficCom mainly develops and supplies electronic toll collection (ETC) systems, especially multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) ETC systems as well as offering technical and commercial operating services for these systems. In addition, Kapsch TrafficCom offers traffic management solutions focusing on traffic safety and traffic control, electronic access control systems and parking space management. With more than 140 installed toll systems worldwide in 30 countries in Europe, Australia, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region and South Africa, and with a total of more than eleven million transponders and 11,000 equipped traffic lanes, Kapsch TrafficCom has positioned itself as a worldwide market leader for ETC systems. Kapsch TrafficCom is headquartered in Vienna, Austria and has subsidiaries and representative offices in 18 countries.
Vienna, 31st March 2008
For further information:
Brigitte Herdlicka
Public Relations & Sponsoring
Kapsch Group
Phone: +43 (0) 50 811 2705
A-1120 Vienna, Wagenseilgasse 1
E-mail: brigitte.herdlicka@kapsch.net
www.kapschtraffic.com
www.kapsch.net
Way paved for Ghaziabad expressway
April 17, 2008
GHAZIABAD/GREATER Noida: The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has finally decided to complete work on a number of roads, including the 12-kilometre expressway linking Greater Noida to NH-24 in Ghaziabad.
While 10.5 kilometres of the 12-kilometre expressway having been completed five years ago, a 1.5-kilometre stretch on NH-24 had been encroached upon. Now, GDA vice-chairman SK Dwivedi said compensation and alternative plots of land will provided to residents along the route to clear the area in order to complete the expressway.
Meanwhile, the GDA has decided to go ahead with plans to build a six-lane expressway linking the Hindon bridge at Meerut Road and the Greater Noida-Ghaziabad expressway. The GDA and NHAI have already decided to widen NH 24 from UP Gate to Lal Kuan.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Sternon launches Phase 2 of ‘Magic Hills’ NRI project in Navi Mumbai
April 12, 2008
Awarding of contract for the Mumbai-Navi Mumbai, 22-km iconic bridge to the Anil Ambani-led consortium pushes realty prices.
Dubai-based Sternon Group has launched the second phase of its NRI project ‘The Magic Hills’ in Navi Mumbai, as plans for the much-awaited 22-km sea bridge linking the Mumbai metropolis to Navi Mumbai have finally started taking shape.
Navi Mumbai, the planned city that had long suffered due to lack of fast-track connectivity to the Mumbai metropolis, has got the biggest boost in recent history following the awarding of the contract for an ambitious trans-harbour bridge to an Anil Ambani-Hyundai consortium, spurring greater interest among Non-Resident Indian (NRI) investors in Navi Mumbai real estate.
According to Sternon Group, which is developing the NRI mega-project ‘The Magic Hills’ on Mumbai-Pune Expressway in partnership with Mumbai-based Garnet Construction, the real estate market is extremely upbeat following the new development. Sternon Group recently commenced work on the first phase of Magic Hills Residences which was sold out, and has now launched the second phase.
“For several years, there was just talk of a fast-track sea link between the highly congested Mumbai metropolis and the satellite city of Navi Mumbai. Now, that need is being fulfilled through a world-class trans-oceanic bridge that will reduce the commuting time between the twin cities to mere 30 minutes, instead of two hours at present,” said Hussaini F. Nalwalla, Managing Director, Sternon Group.
“The immediate impact of the news is that real estate prices have begun to climb higher, making Navi Mumbai one of the hottest investment destinations in India. We have now launched the second phase of Magic Hills Residences to offer global NRIs another chance to be part of Navi Mumbai real estate boom,” added Nalwalla.
The Sewri-Nhava Sheva bridge is India’s answer to China’s famous 36-km Hangzhou Bay Bridge. Billed as India’s biggest infrastructure project to date, it will be completed in 2013. Contract for the six-lane, 22-km trans-oceanic bridge, estimated to cost over Rs. 6,000 crores, has been awarded to the Anil Ambani-Hyundai consortium. The bridge route will provide a straight link to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, as it connects the JNPT Port and the southern part of Navi Mumbai leading to Panvel.
The iconic bridge is among the four mega-projects that are driving real estate in Navi Mumbai. The second is the Rs. 10,000 crore Navi Mumbai International Airport to be completed in 2012, boasting two runways. The third is the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) being developed by Mukesh Ambani. The fourth is the Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House’s $10 billion SEZ ‘Energy City India’ spread across 1,600 acres, to be completed in five years.
On the real estate scene, most of the land in Navi Mumbai has been snapped up by builders and developers for townships, five-star hotels and commercial complexes. The Hiranandani Group recently launched ‘Panvel Residential’, a massive complex, which will be part of the mixed-use Panvel Commercial Township.
“For NRIs looking for a sound investment or a second home in India, Navi Mumbai undoubtedly represents a highly attractive option,” said Nalwalla. “Realty analysts are of the view that the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, with easy access to hills stations like Lonavla and Karjat, as well as boom-town places like Pune and Goa, is set to be the hottest investment destination.”
Sternon’s ‘Magic Hills’ is a residential cum commercial project, located close to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The promoters have recently acquired additional land, taking the total area to 750 acres. The second phase offers villas, row-house and plots, as well as high-end villas for upmarket investors and home-seekers. The future phases of the project will have commercial, IT and educational complexes.
Source: arabianbusiness.com
NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN THE NORTH EASTERN REGION
April 8, 2008
Execution of
(Rs in crore)
|
State |
Amount of sanctions accorded during 2007-08 |
Amount of works listed for sanctions during 2008-09 |
|
Assam |
112.12 |
292.00 |
|
Manipur |
37.97 |
99.00 |
|
Meghalaya |
43.87 |
264.00 |
|
Mizoram |
21.95 |
119.50 |
|
Nagaland |
47.08 |
50.50 |
The expenditure incurred on development of National Highways in
Four lane Guwahati bypass was completed during 10th Plan. Karimganj, Nagaon, Daboka, Lanka, Lumding, Maibang, Udharband, Mahour, Baihata and Agartala bypasses are under construction and bypasses of Dibrugarh, Tinsukhiya, Makum, Dum Duma, Rupai, Digboi, Margreita, Ledo and North-Lakhimpur in Assam and Shillong, Jowai and Tura bypasses in Meghalaya and Dimapur and Kohima bypasses in Nagaland and Gangtok bypass in Sikkim are in Planning and Survey & Investigation stage.
Timeframe for works of double laning, 4-laning and construction of bypasses approved during 2007-08 is given below:
|
List of works for double laning, four laning and bypasses approved under Annual Plan during 2007-08 |
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Source: pib.nic.in
Four-laning of Hyderabad-Vijayawada road from December
April 7, 2008
VIJAYAWADA: The long-awaited Rs 1460 crore four-laning of Hyderabad-Vijayawada Road will commence in December. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will finalise the tenders by June.
Currently, the four-laning has been completed between Vijayawada and Nandigama (50 km) and Hyderabad and Malkapuram (40 km). The 181 km stretch between Malkapuram and Nandigama will now be four-laned.
NHAI Vijayawada-Hyderabad section project director P Srinivasa Rao said the work will be completed in two years time. The NHAI, the State Government and the contractors will enter into a state-support agreement before commencing the works, he added.
VIJAYAWADA-MACHILIPATNAM ROAD: Srinivasa Rao said the the Vijayawada-Machilipatnam Road will also be widened to 200 feet. This would be done for 150 km. The tenders would be finalised in June and the works would begin from December.
The widening is estimated to cost Rs 493 crore. The widening has become necessary in view of the heavy vehicular movement on the road and the future needs that may arise after the establishment of the new port.
The project director met superintendent engineer of Irrigation T Shivaji recently to discuss the widening as some irrigation canals pass along the road.
Source: newindpress.com
DR. KARUNANIDHI TO INAUGURATE FOUR NHAI PROJECTS IN CHENNAI
April 4, 2008
DR. KARUNANIDHI TO INAUGURATE FOUR NHAI PROJECTS IN CHENNAI. ALSO TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE FOR FOOT OVER BRIDGE AT CHROMEPET
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr. Kalaignar M., Karunanidhi will inaugurate four projects completed at a total cost of Rs. 80 crore by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Wednesday the 9th April 2008. He will also lay the foundation stone for Foot-over Bridge at Chromepet on the same day.
The function for the inaugural ceremony would be presided over by the Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Thiru T. R. Baalu and the Minister for Local Administration, Government of Tamil Nadu Thiru M.K Stalin would be the Chief Guest. The Guests of honour of the function would be Thiru M.P. Swaminathan, Minister for Highways, Government of Tamil Nadu and Thiru T.M. Anbarasan, Minister for Labour, Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Irumbuliyur Underpass has been built at a cost of Rs. four crore, four-laning of Chennai Bypass Phase-I up to Porur has been completed by NHAI at a cost of Rs. 70 crore, the pedestrian subway at Tirisulam has cost Rs. five crore and the Bus Shelter at Chromepet built under the MPLAD Scheme has cost Rs. 82 lakhs. The completion of the Irumbuliyur Underpass will facilitate right turn for the Tambaram Traffic to access Chennai Bypass and thereby quicker connectivity to the Golden Quadrilateral Corridor.
The Chromepet Foot-over Bridge for which the foundation stone will be laid on Wednesday to facilitate the commuters in crossing NH-45 to access the railway station on the other side and vice versa which provides rail connectivity to southern part of Tamil Nadu, would cost Rs. 2.40 crore.
Thiru T.R. Baalu has expressed the hope that with the completion of these four projects, the people living in and around these areas would be greatly benefited.
Source: pib.nic.in