Travel on Delhi buses to get smarter

July 29, 2013

SPECIAL  CORRESPONDENT

 

With the intent of making travelling in public transport a smoother and more reliable experience for commuters, the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) has launched the Delhi Transit Bus Info application. Providing vital information on the estimated time of arrival of buses, routes and locations of bus stops, the application aims at helping passengers get all the information at the click of a button, all in real time.

The application will provide details on the estimated time of arrival, route details, track location of a bus, bus schedule, location of bus stop, and trip planner.

“The Delhi Transit Bus Info application will be available both on the Internet and on android-based devices. Bus passengers can either go on to the DIMTS website www.dimts.in and click on ‘Bus information for orange-coloured Delhi transit buses’ or view the application on the beta version ‘Delhi Transit Bus Info’, which can be downloaded from Google Play Store,” said a DIMTS statement.

Stating that “the beta version of the application is currently available for devices working on the android platform,” the statement said: “It will be extended to other platforms like iOS, Blackberry and Symbian.”

The application is currently available for only orange-coloured Delhi ransit or cluster buses, except for the trip planner feature, which gives data on DTC bus routes also. However, DIMTS added that the information for DTC-operated buses for the rest of the features will be integrated into the application soon.

Under the project, bus users will also be able to give their feedback on the system through a feedback form that is available both on the website as well as the phone application. DIMTS has launched the test version to invite a candid feedback from the public and further improve the application.

 

Source - http://www.thehindu.com

Motor Vehicle Department rolls out e-payment facility

June 24, 2013

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Aimed at bringing transparency and accelerating its services to public, the state Motor Vehicle Department(MVD) has rolled out e-payment facility for private vehicle owners.

Chief minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the facility in the presence of transport minister Aryadan Mohammed, K Muraleedharan MLA and department officials in a function held here on Monday. The facility is now available in all the 73 regional transport offices and public can utilize either directly or from the Akshaya centres. The department had started the online facility in Thiruvananthapuram city transport offices in September, 2011 and successful trial run and warm response from the public prompted the department to widen the network of the facility.

Delivering the presidential address, tourism minister said 45,000 transactions take place in the department on an average every day and with just 1,900 officers, it has become difficult for the department to accelerate the services to people.

“The service not only will save the valuable time of public, but also bring transparency to the activities of the department, which is facing many allegations of bribery and malefactors,” he said.

The minister Rishi Raj Singh, who took charge as the transport commissioner just before the inauguration of e-payment facility, suggested to deploy maximum officers on field as computerized services will reduce workload on them.

Currently, account holders of SBT and SBI can avail the facility and the transport commissioner said the facility will be thrown open to other bank account holders soon.

Now, take your traffic woes directly to MVD

June 24, 2013

K M Sree, TNN |

KOZHIKODE: The Motor Vehicle Department has embarked on a fresh mission to ensure public participation in curbing traffic rule violations. Public complaint redressal cells have been opened by officials of the department in addition to the official crackdown on erring vehicles across the state.

The new system, introduced following a directive issued by Transport Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh, enables the public to submit grievances online or directly call on the mobile numbers of officials. Besides, proposals for improving road safety may also be submitted to the redressal cells.Citizens may submit complaints directly to the deputy transport commissioner ([email protected]/ 9447218470) or RTO Kozhikode ([email protected]/ 8547639111). The complainant can also directly approach the Transport Commissioner ([email protected]/ 9446033314) if action is not taken in a month’s time.

“It is not possible to curb road rule violations merely by official vigilance. Public participation is a key element in creating awareness on the need for observing road rules,” said Kozhikode RTO Rajeev Puthalath. The new system, complaint redressal cell has already been set up at Kozhikode, he added.

Information on unfit vehicles especially stage carriage vehicles, excess fare charged by auto-taxi drivers, verbal abuse by private bus crew and all sorts of offences can be reported to the complaint cell. Complainants are requested to give specific information regarding the complaint including the registration number of the vehicle, place of occurrence and other details.

Under the new system, each cell will maintain a complaint register to record the complaint, progress of investigation and action taken. At present, we take action on receiving complaints and settle the issues but register books are not maintained in Regional Transport offices, the official said.

The Motor Vehicle Department has also intensified drive against drunken driving and use of mobile phones. Instead of issuing notice and collecting fines, MVD officials have now taken to suspending the licence of persons found using mobile phones while driving. Drunken drivers also get their licence suspended as part of the strict enforcement of road laws.

While, 313 persons have had their licence suspended for drunken driving in Kozhikode city alone in the past one month, the number of persons who had their driving license suspended for using mobile phone crossed 50 last month.

Apart from the formation of complaint redressal cells we have also decided to intensify drive against the misuse of red number plates for vehicles. “We have found that many vehicles used by semi-government organizations and cooperative institutions have been using red boards for their vehicles and action would be initiated against such vehicles,” the RTO said. A drive to nab such automobiles was launched recently and 10 vehicles were fined for using such red boards illegally, during a three day drive that concluded on Friday, the officials said.

North – South railway station corridor soon

June 21, 2013

By Princy Alexander | ENS – KOCHI

The Kochi Corporation’s proposal for a corridor connecting the South railway station and North Town Station  in the city is likely to see the light of day, with the Mayor proposing to submit the project details to the state government soon.

Mayor Tony Chammany said that the proposal  could be incorporated in the metro rail preparatory works. The much-discussed plan has been included in this year’s Corporation budget. “If we are able to construct a road connecting the North station and the South railway station via the road adjacent to the Ambedkar stadium, it will help decongest the city traffic. Vehicles can be diverted through the North railway station towards the South railway station premises and enter MG Road. We are placing the project proposal with an estimate of Rs 8 crore before the government,” the Mayor said.

The Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry( KCCI) chairman K N Marzook, said that land acquisition may be a hurdle for the implementation of the project. However, if it becomes a reality, it will be a major boon for Kochiites. “There is already an existing road connecting both the North and South Railway stations. The GCDA has agreed to give the land for the project. Widening of the road would require land acquisition,” Marzook said.

However, GCDA Chairman N Venugopal slammed the project, saying that it was not practical. “A large number of families will have to be evicted in the area. The Corporation is yet to rehabilitate the Moolampally Canal evictees. How do they plan to accommodate so many families if the project is to be made a reality,” Venugopal said.

Source-http://newindianexpress.com

Civic bodies asked to make buses safer, more comfortable

May 29, 2013

Manish Umbrajkar, TNN | 

 

PUNE: New buses that will be introduced on city roads will be safer, more comfortable for both passengers and drivers, and will be equipped with in-built ITS technology, if the municipal corporations of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad act on the recommendations of the union ministry of urban development. The ministry has recommended these features to 61 municipal corporations that come under JNNURM.

PMPML, the city public bus transport company has already procured 650 buses under JNNURM funding. However, officials say it plans to make a fresh proposal to procure additional buses that would conform with the new specifications.

Officials of the Pune-based Central Institute of Road Transport(CIRT), which was one of the institutions that made suggestions on urban bus specifications, said they took into account requirements of urban commuters while making them. Specifications have also been listed for Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses.

According to the report on urban bus specifications, buses plying within the city should also be made more attractive so as to encourage more people to use them. They should also be made accessible to people with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments, it states.

Prashant Kakade, coordinator of the management development centre and a specialist in traffic engineering solutions at CIRT says urban public transport is different from state transport and that make these urban bus specifications significant. In cities, a large number of people, including senior citizens, children, women and even those with physical impairments use public transport. “All these factors have been taken into account while drafting the specifications. For example, the width of the gangway is wider in urban bus specifications because the number of standing passengers is quite high,” he said. Another factor taken into consideration is the insistence on low floor buses to help senior citizens board the bus. For BRTS buses, level boarding facilities have been recommended.

The report lists specifications for various types of buses based on the city’s requirements. Besides specifications for standard size normal and BRTS buses, mini and midi buses, there are specifications for standard size premium segment, and intelligent transport systems. Kakade said that the specifications are compulsory for JNNURM buses, as there will be a third party inspection when the buses are delivered to the cities by suppliers. The third party inspection will be done by institutions such as CIRT and Automotive Research Association of India, he said.

The cost of travel in these buses would be more than in normal buses, but their performance would be better in terms of fuel efficiency and would be safer, more comfortable for passengers and drivers. Buses will be able to move at improved speed, while noise levels in the buses will be less, Kakade said. Instead of using metal which adds to the dead weight of the buses and affects speed, the buses would be made of fibre, he added.

Incidentally, PMPML has planned to install intelligent transport system requirements in the 650 BRTS buses it has already procured under JNNURM. The undertaking has recently called for offers from private contractors for installation of the ITS requirements. For BRTS operations, the buses have level boarding facility, officials said.

The high powered expert committee on urban infrastructure and the ministry of urban development has estimated that cities in India need about 1.5 lakh buses that would cost approximately Rs 60,000 crores in the next 20 years. The report further cites that only 20 of 85 cities with over 5 lakh population (in 2009) offered an organised city bus service. The recommendations of the working group on urban transport for 12th five year plan includes introduction of organized public transport in all two lakh plus population cities and state capitals, as one of its goals. The report asserts that city bus services have been the major mode of public transport, and this will continue.

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

Get ready to pay more for radio taxis from June

May 23, 2013

Hindustan Times (Delhi) Atul Mathur

NEW DELHI:

The Delhi transport department will revise fare for radio taxis from next week. A ride in an AC taxi will cost R23 per km and an economy taxi will charge R13 per km. From June, you have to pay more for travelling in radio taxis. After auto-rickshaws, the transport department has now decided to revise fares of air-conditioned as well as ‘economy’ radio taxis in the Capital.

Sources said a ride in an airconditioned radio taxi will now cost R23 per kilometre while the economy taxis will charge R13 per kilometre. The transport department had increased auto-rickshaw and taxi (black and yellow) fares by 25% earlier this month. While the radio taxi operators are demanding a similar hike, sources said the government has agreed to increase their fare by 15%. The radio taxi fare was last revised in September 2010. The existing radio taxi fare in air-conditioned and economy radio taxis is R20 and R10 per kilometre.

“The radio taxi operators have been demanding fare revision. We could not do it when we revised auto-rickshaw fares but it will be done soon,” Delhi transport minister Ramakant Goswami said. He said the transport department was likely to submit a final proposal early next week and the revised fare would come into effect immediately after his approval.

Radio taxis are a popular mode of transport in Delhi. There are about 5,000 AC radio cabs and 3,800 economy radio taxis plying in the Capital.

Available on demand and fitted with global positioning system, radio cabs are considered a safe transport for women and those who travel late at night. According to an estimate, more than two lakh people travel by radio taxis every day.

Source-http://paper.hindustantimes.com

Govt tells auto drivers to install GPS, again

May 15, 2013

HT Correspondent,

Hindustan Times,  New Delhi

A fortnight after increasing autorickshaw and taxi fares by 25%, the Delhi government on Tuesday asked auto-rickshaw drivers to install global positioning system (GPS) devices in their vehicles at the earliest.

Delhi transport minister Ramakant Goswami said that the officials of his department have been asked to take strict action against the autorickshaw drivers who fleece commuters.

The minister also directed them to ensure installation of GPS devices in all autorickshaws so that their movements can be tracked.

 More than 55,000 auto-rickshaws are operating in the city without GPS devices despite repeated directives from the transport department to do so.

Installation of GPS devices was made mandatory when the government had revised autorickshaw fare in June 2010.

HSRP plates

The transport department has also made it mandatory for the vendor, which was given contract for installation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), to intimate vehicle owners about the date of installation of secured plates in writing by putting a stamp on the fee receipt.

The decision came as the transport department had received lot of complaints about inordinate delay in delivery of HSRP to the vehicle owners.

Source-http://www.hindustantimes.com

E-challan remains a pipe dream, devices not available

April 1, 2013

E-challan remains a pipe dream, devices not available

 NEW DELHI: After facing several technical shortcomings, the ambitious e-challan project of Delhi Police has now hit an administrative roadblock.
SAARTHAK AURORA/HT FILE1,200 hand-held devices for issuing e-challans are yet to be delivered by the vendor to the traffic police.

The result: the project — which was scheduled to be operational by March this year — has missed the deadline yet again.

During the annual press conference of Delhi Police in January this year, the traffic police had promised that e-challans would become partially operational in January and fully by March.

In January, the traffic police had initiated a trial by introducing some of the devices in Parliament Street area of Central Delhi. However, the gadgets developed a technical snag. Sources said the hand-held device, which was used to issue challans, encountered a problem while working in the sunlight.

According to sources, the vendor Airtel is not ready with 1200 e-challan devices and has sought more time for supplying the gadgets.

“We do not know when the project would successfully be implemented,” said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner of police (traffic).

‘’After the successful deployment of the pilot, we are determined to take all steps towards its successful implementation,’’ said a spokesperson of Airtel.

After running into several delays, the e-challan system had got the final nod of the state government in November. Following this, the traffic police were keen to formally launch the project by making 100 gadgets operational during the special drive against drunk driving on the eve of New Year in Central Delhi.

But the plan never materialised as the vendor was not ready with the devices.

As per the tender agreement, Airtel was to provide 1200 e-challan instruments to cover the entire city by March and also provide technical support for operating the instruments. With e-challan — an electronic format of the challan – becoming functional, there will be a record of all traffic violations against errant drivers and vehicles. This, the traffic police claims, will help initiate a new regime of better enforcement by having higher penalties for second and subsequent prosecutions and ensure point system for supervision and cancellation of driving licences.

Source : http://paper.hindustantimes.com/

 

Major achievements of Road Transport Ministry in 2011

December 26, 2011

A length of 3800 km is proposed to be funded from a World Bank loan of US $ 2.96 millions and the balance length is proposed to be taken up through budgetary resources.

Improvement of road connectivity in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas: The Union Government has approved a scheme for development of about 1,125 km of National Highways and 4,352 km of state Roads in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas as a special project estimated to cost about Rs. 7,300 crore.

During the year 2011, works in a length of 1127 km costing Rs. 1593 crore have been awarded upto November, 2011.

Special Programme for 2-laning of entire balance NH network not covered under any approved programmes: – Ministry of Road Transport & highways has taken initiatives to develop 6,700 km of single lane / intermediate lane National Highways to minimum 2 lane standards on corridor concept. A length of 3800 km is proposed to be funded from a World Bank loan of US$2.96mn and the balance length is proposed to be taken up through budgetary resources.

During the year 2011, works in a length of 699 km costing Rs. 1675 cr have been awarded. Consultancy studies for preparation of Feasibility study/ DPRs for the entire length of 3800 km to be funded out of World Bank assistance are in progress and targeted to be completed by March, 2012

Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North-East region (SARDP-NE):

The scheme has been envisaged to be taken up under three parts as under:

  • Phase ‘A’ of SARDP-NE approved by the Government envisages improvement of about 4,099 km length of roads (2041km of NH and 2058 km of state roads).  The SARDP-NE Phase A is targeted for completion by March, 2015.
  • Length sanctioned & awarded during the calendar year up to November, 2011 – 91 km
  • Length completed during the calendar year up to November, 2011 – 10 km
  • Work in progress as on 30th November, 2011 is 1608 km.

Phase ‘B’ of SARDP-NE, covering 3723 km (1285 km NHs and 2438 km of state roads) has been approved for DPR preparation only and so far, DPRs for about 450 km have been completed (up to 30th November, 2011)

Special Package for Arunachal Pradesh:  The Arunachal Pradesh Package for Road & Highways involving development of about 2319 km length of road (1,472 km of NHs & 847 km of State / General Staff / Strategic Roads) has also been approved by the Government.  Projects on 776 km are to be taken up on BOT (Annuity) mode and the balance 1,543 km is to be developed on EPC basis.  The entire Arunachal package is targeted for completion by June, 2015.

Length sanctioned & awarded during the calendar year and work in progress as on 30th November, 2011  – 311 km

Development of NHs entrusted with State PWDs which are not covered under any approved programme such as NHDP, SARDP-NE etc.

Physical progress of non-NHDP sections of National Highways during 2011-12:

Sl No Category Target* Achievement*
1 Improvement to low grade (kms) 1.00 3.50
2 Widening to 2 lanes (kms) 450.00 392.40
3 Strengthening (kms) 450.00 342.91
4 Improvement of riding quality (kms) 1200.00 1364.42
5 Widening to 4 lanes (kms) 60.00 33.07
6 Bypasses (Nos) 2 2
7 Bridges / ROBs (Nos) 50 53
* Up to October, 2011

Highways Wing

Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) during the calendar year 2011 has approved 31 Road projects for a length of about 4318 Kms. with Total Project Cost of Rs. 41,109.03 Crores and projects for 4036 Kms. have been awarded. Detail of the projects approved by the CCI during the year 2011 is as follows:

S. N Name of the Project State NH No. NHDP Phase Length
(in KM)
TPC (in crore) Approved by CCI in its meeting held on
1 Beawer-Pali-Pindwara
(4-laning)
Rajasthan 14 III 244.12 2388 20.04.2011
2 Ahmedabad-Vadodara
(6-laning)
Gujarat 8 V 102.3 2125.24 06.04.2011
3 Kota-Teendhar (Jhalawar)
(2/4-laning)
Rajasthan 12 III 88.09 530.01 06.04.2011
4 Nagpur-Wainganga Bridge
(4-laning)
Maharashtra 6 III 45.43 484.19 20.04.2011
5 Eastern Peripheral Expressway Haryana/U.P NE-II 135 2699 20.04.2011
6 Panikolli-Rimuli (4-laning) Orissa 215 III 166.197 1410 09.06.2011
7 Jabalpur-Lakhanadone
(4-laning)
Madhya Pradesh 7 IV-A 80.825 776.76 23.06.2011
8 Chhattisgarh/Orissa Border Aurang
(4-laning)
Chhattisgarh 6 IV-A 150.4 1232 21.07.2011
9 Walayar – Vadakkancherry
(4-laning)
Kerala 47 II 54 682 21.07.2011
10 Jabalpur-Katni-Rewa
(4-laning)
Madhya Pradesh 7 IV-A 225.686 1895.45 04.08.2011
11 Meerut – Bulandshahar
(4-laning)
Uttar Pradesh 235 IV-A 66.043 508.57 11.08.2011
12 Gwalior – Shivpuri (4-laning) Madhya Pradesh 3 & 75 IV-A 125.3 1055 05.09.2011
13 Shivpuri – Dewas (4-laning) Madhya Pradesh 3 IV-A 320.21 2815 05.09.2011
14 Poonamallee-Walajahpet
(6-laning)
Tamil Nadu 4 V 93 930 05.09.2011
15 Kishangarh-Udaipur-Ahmedabad
(6-laning)
Rajasthan/Gujarat 79A,79, 76, NH-8 V 555.5 5387.3 15.09.2011
16 Hospet-Bellary-Karnataka/AP Border (4-laning) Karanataka 63 IV-A 95.44 910.08 30.09.2011
17 Lucknow-Sultanpur (4-laning) Uttar Pradesh 56 IV-A 125.9 1043.51 30.09.2011
18 Birmitrapur – Barkote
(4/2-laning)
Orissa 23 IV-A 125.615 778.15 25.10.2011
19 Vijayawada – Machilipatnam
(4-laning)
Andhra Pradesh 9 III 64.611 606 25.10.2011
20 Angul – Sambalpur
(4-laning)
Orissa 42 IV-A 153 1220.32 16.11.2011
21 Obedullaganj – Betul
(4/2-laning)
Madhya Pradesh 69 III 121.36 912 16.11.2011
22 Mah/Kar Border – Sangareddy
(4-laning)
Karnataka/
Andhra Pradesh
9 III 145 1266.6 16.11.2011
23 Hospet-Chitradurga
(4-laning)
Karnataka 13 III 120.03 1033.65 16.11.2011
24 Agra – Etawah Bypass
(6-laning)
Uttar Pradesh 2 V 124.52 1207 16.11.2011
25 Raipur – Bilaspur
(4/6-laning)
Chhattisgarh 200 IV-A 126.525 1216.03 16.11.2011
26 Lucknow – Raebarelly
(4-laning)
Uttar Pradesh 24-B IV-A 70 635.9 16.11.2011
27 Cuttack – Angul
(4-laning)
Orissa 42 III 112 1123.69 16.11.2011
28 Etawah – Chakeri (Kanpur)
(6-laning)
Uttar Pradesh 2 V 160.21 1573 16.11.2011
29 Rampur – Kathgodam
(4-laning)
Uttar Pradesh/ Uttarakhand 24 III 93.226 790 16.11.2011
30 Mahulia – Baharagora – Kharagpur
(4-laning)
Jharkhand / West Bengal 6 III 127.13 940 24.11.2011
31 Solapur – Mah/Kar Border
(4-laning)
Maharashtra 9 III 100.6 934.58 24.11.2011
Total

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

In order to improve transparency and accountability NHAI has switched to e-procurement and e-tendering for all types of projects including BOT since July, 2011.  In e-tendering mode 101 tenders have been floated by NHAI till 30.11.2011 of which 21 tenders are of BOT, 55 tenders are for Tolling on Reverse Auction and others of varied nature.

For Planning, Monitoring and Management of National Highways with the help of GIS based Satellite Imagery, specially in difficult areas like Left Wing Extremist (LWE), North-East (NE) and other States, inputs have been received from National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC),  20 National / International firms have been short-listed through a Global Tender.  The work is expected to commence shortly.

Public grievance redressal system of NHAI made interactive with the help of user friendly social networking site viz. Face Book (available at http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Highways-Authority-of-India/1865851480  28027). Between January, 2011 and  November, 2011,  more  than  4 lacs  persons have visited this site and about 3000 have registered themselves.  NHAI’s officers are regularly replying to the public queries directly on the Facebook wall of NHAI. Concessionaries of BOT projects have been advised to provide link to their sites on NHAI Facebook wall – for quick response to road users.

To upgrade the existing Assets Management System by basing it on web-based Geographical Information System (GIS) for the purposes of planning, construction and operation and maintenance of National Highways. Global tenders have been invited for 15000 Kms of stretches having been identified for this on both BOT and EPC projects to cater to both asset management and project management.

All concession agreement documents between the NHAI and concessionaire are now available on NHAI website at http://www.nhai.org/concessionagreementcj.asp.  CVs of key personnel’s of the Independent Engineers overseeing the BOT projects are being uploaded in phases on the NHAI website.

It has been decided to implement a combined state of the art Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and National Highways Authority of India with the objective to integrate end to end business processes that were traditionally disjointed and share information through a common database. ERP when implemented will enhance the productivity and efficiency of both the organisations.  Ground work of Functional Requirement Study has been completed.

NHAI has large number of legal cases including with its contractors / concessionaire and vendors.  The entire system was handled earlier manually.  A web based customized software has been developed by NHAI through which it will be possible to retrieve information on Arbitration, Writ Petitions, Land Acquisition cases, Civil Contract cases, Criminal Cases and Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) cases and tackle these disputes better.

In order to track the progress of construction and maintenance of the National Highways, a state of the art system is being developed to capture information / photos / videos directly from the site using tablet / notepad / personal digital assistant (PDA) / mobile phones and its retrieval on desktop / laptop by all concerned on real time basis.

Annual Pre-qualification of Bidders:

With a view to implement the recommendations of BK Chaturvedi Committee NHAI has adopted Annual Pre-qualification of bidders during the year 2011.  It has already completed the process of Annual pre-qualification and pre-qualified about 100 applicants/bidders.  These applicants are not required to submit voluminous documents at project specific RFQ. They will only submit the pre-qualification letter issued by NHAI.  This Annual pre-qualification is valid upto 31.12.2011.  NHAI has again taken up fresh pre-qualification.

Tax Free Bonds

As per 2011-12 BE, NHAI would raise a sum of total Rs. 11900 crore out of which 54EC Bonds contribute Rs. 1,900 crore and Tax Free Bonds contribute Rs. 10,000 crore.  The Government has authorized NHAI to issue, during the financial year 2011-12, tax free, secured, redeemable, non-convertible bonds aggregating to Rs. 10,000 crore. The draft shelf prospectus has been filed with BSE, NSE and SEBI. The issue is likely to open in the 3rd week of December 2011.

Outcome

Award of contracts

The pace of award of contracts has been accelerated to achieve the target of 20 kms in a day. As compared to achievement of award in 2009-10 of 3360 km and 5058 km in 2010-11, a total of highway length of 4036 km with total project cost of Rs. 36381.49 Cr. have already been awarded till November 2011. The balance is in advance stage of award for meeting the target of 7300 km planned for this year.

Feasibility Studies

As an advance preparation efforts have been made to keep the shelf of feasibility study available to increase the award of contracts beyond 7300 km. During the period from Jan’ 2011 to Nov’ 2011, Feasibility Studies of 6708 kms have been completed and out of which some are in pipeline for award.

Excellent Response from bidders

Despite the economic slowdown this year has witnessed a revival of interest among private investors and acceleration in award of projects due to new policy initiatives  taken to usher in fair competition & transparency. NHAI has received record premiums in the projects which have been bid out in the current year. In fact in one of the projects, 6-laning of Kisangarh-Udaipur-Ahmedabad section of 560 kms fetched premium of Rs. 636 crore (with 5% annual increase). This trend is very encouraging and validates the policy framework for PPP projects that has been established. In 20 projects, higher premium have been offered by the bidders as compared to the approved estimate by CCI.  Similarly in 6 projects, VGF grant demanded by the bidders are less as compared to approved estimate by CCI.  As a result of this, the net present value (NPV) of savings on account of premium / grant quoted by the bidders as compared to the same projected by NHAI in respect of 26 projects is Rs. 21,070 crores.

Land Acquisition

Despite an adverse climate in the field regarding land acquisition and reluctance on the part of farmers to part away their land on current rate of compensation in the hope of getting better compensation under new Act which is likely to be effective shortly, sufficient progress has been made in the matters of land acquisition for national highways.  In the current financial year 7800 hectares of land has been acquired till November, 2011 as compared to a total acquisition of 8533 hectares in 2010-11 and 6244 hectares acquired in 2009-10.

Source: indiainfoline.com


Concession agreement signed for widening of Nechipu to Hoj road

December 26, 2011

he Nechipu – Hoj Section of NH-229 is a part of Trans Arunachal Highway. The construction of 2 lane Trans Arunachal highway from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh to approaches to Bogibeel bridge in Assam was announced by the Prime Minister on 31st January, 2008 during his visit to Itanagar.

A  Concession Agreement has been signed in the Ministry of Road Transport and  Highways for  “ Widening of existing road to 2-lane national highway standards from Nechipu to Hoj on hybrid BOT (Annuity) model under the Arunachal Pradesh Package of Roads and Highway. The Nechipu – Hoj Section of NH-229 is a part of Trans Arunachal Highway. The construction of 2 lane Trans Arunachal highway from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh to approaches to Bogibeel bridge in Assam was announced by the Prime Minister on 31st January, 2008  during his visit to Itanagar.

The Trans Arunachal Highway is a very important Highway which runs across the State of Arunachal Pradesh. The project road will improve the internal connectivity of western districts of Arunachal Pradesh with Itanagar, namely Seppa, Bomdila, and foster socio-economic development of the whole of the State. Apart from this, the road would help in hydro power projects coming up in Arunachal Pradesh. The road would also greatly facilitate the security/ defence agencies to combat anti-national activities and threat on border areas.

  • Length of the Project: 311 km;

  • Total Project Cost (TPC): Rs. 1486 cr;

  • Civil construction cost of the project: Rs. 1255 crore

  • Construction period: 4 ½ years

  • Concession period: 17 years

  • Cash support during Construction period: Rs. 1004.0   crore

  • Semi Annual Annuity (25 nos.) : Rs. 39.0 crore each; to be paid  to Concessionaire during maintenance period.

  • NPV in 2011-12 of Government Cash flow to the project @ 10% discount rate is Rs. 1077 crore.

This project have been approved by Cabinet/CCI in its meetings held on 9th January, 2009, 30th June, .2009, 4th March, .2010, 6th May,.2010 & 9th June,.2011; Tendering for 2 times were annulled owing to high annuity quotes;

The project is to be implemented on hybrid BOT (Annuity) model. This is a hybrid model under which 80% of the estimated construction cost will be disbursed to the concessionaire during construction phase and remaining construction cost and maintenance cost etc. will be defrayed through annuity payments. The target to complete 2-lane is by June, 2016.  The concessionaire will also maintain the road for 12 ½ years after the construction period of 4 ½ years and Ministry will pay 25 semi-annual annuity to concessionaire during maintenance period of 12 ½ years.

Source: indiainfoline.com

A  Concession Agreement has been signed in the Ministry of Road Transport and  Highways for  “ Widening of existing road to 2-lane national highway standards from Nechipu to Hoj on hybrid BOT (Annuity) model under the Arunachal Pradesh Package of Roads and Highway. The Nechipu – Hoj Section of NH-229 is a part of Trans Arunachal Highway. The construction of 2 lane Trans Arunachal highway from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh to approaches to Bogibeel bridge in Assam was announced by the Prime Minister on 31st January, 2008  during his visit to Itanagar.

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