Public Private Partnership (PPP) is Important for the Country’s Infrastructure Development

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Railways, Dr. C. P. Joshi has said that Public Private Partnership (PPP) is important for the fast development of country’s infrastructure network. He said that Central Government has adopted policies which are leading the nation to fast economic growth. He emphasised that a country cannot be economically stronger unless its infrastructure is developed. Dr. Joshi was speaking while laying the foundation stone for the commencement of work of four-laning of Gomati ka chauraha-Udaipur Section of National Highway-8 (NH-8) in the State of Rajasthan at Rajasamand district of Rajasthan.

This section of 83 km length is being constructed under National Highway Development Project (NHDP) on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer basis on Toll. The 914-crore project is likely to be completed by the end of April 2015. Foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Ashok Gehlot, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways Shri A. K. Upadhyay and other senior dignitaries.

Dr. C. P. Joshi said that Central Government is committed to formulate policies which will facilitate development of infrastructure. He said that the adequate availability of financial resources has come through PPP initiatives. The Union Minister said that there are 73,000 km long National Highways in the country and work on this sector is continuing on a large scale everywhere in the country. Dr. Joshi said his Ministry is also giving high priority to road safety along with the construction of roads so as to reduce accidents.

Referring to the development to roads in Rajasthan, Dr. Joshi said that around 1700 km long National Highways have been announced in the last one and a half years for which approximately 20,000 crore rupees are estimated to be spent. Dr. Joshi pointed out that there is no discrimination with any State in the road development sector and roads in all States are being developed on the basis of available resources. He said that the road construction work is continuing at a fast pace in States like Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. He said that in Madhya Pradesh alone, projects worth Rs. 20,000 crore are underway.

Presiding over the function, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Ashok Gehlot hoped that all the work initiated by Dr. Joshi would be completed in time. He thanked Dr. Joshi and his Ministry for undertaking development of roads in Rajasthan as well as in other parts of the country.

NH-8 having a length of 1375km passes through cities of Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer-Udaipur-Ahmedabad-Vadodara-Mumbai encompassing states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Out of 1375km length of NH-8, 13km is in Delhi, 101km in Haryana, 635km in Rajasthan, 498km in Gujarat and 128km in Maharashtra.

The Gomati ka Chauraha-Udaipur Section of NH-8 will cater to the Rajasmand and Sukhar Marble Industrial Area. The important historical place of Haldighati is 16 km from project highway. The religious places served by the project include Shri Charbhugaji, Dwarkadheesh Temple at Kankroli, Shreenathji Temple at Nathdwara and Eklingji Temple. The three flyovers on this section are (a) Elevated 4 lane fly-over at Nathdwara. (b) 6 lane fly-over at Rajsamand and (c) Others 3 nos. fly-over at Kelwa Chopati, Amet Chouraha and at Bhilwara Road Crossing.

Other important highlights of this project are: Rivers - Banas and Khari Rivers; Bypass - Delwara and Eklingji bypass; Major Bridge - 2 Nos. at Khari and Banas river; Important Structure - Six lane double tube tunnel at Chirwa Ghat having 440 Mtr. Length.