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Kamal Nath gets into action, calls road builders

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    • Gunjan Pradhan Sinha Tags : Kamal Nath, Highway india Posted: Wednesday, Jun 03, 2009 at 0954 hrs New Delhi:
    Kamal nath
    Kamal Nath has sprung into action, readying plans to revamp the award process of National Highways Development Programme.
    Within a few days of taking charge as road transport and highways minister, Kamal Nath has sprung into action, readying plans to revamp the award process of the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP).

    The minister has called a meeting of major road developers on Wednesday to discuss the problems faced by them — procedural, financial or those related to bidding. Nath is expected to meet all major infrastructure players such as GMR, GVK, Gammon India, Reliance Infrastructure, Soma, Simplex, Madhucon and Hindustan Construction Company.

    “We have been invited by Nath to discuss the problems that we are facing. We plan to bring to the table the problems of shortage of credit and undue interference from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and land acquisition-related issues,” the head of a major infrastructure company told The Indian Express. This was a positive step given that the previous minister refrained from such interactions, he added. The meeting will be attended by the NHAI chairman Brijeshwar Singh, roads secretary and other officials of the road transport and highways ministry. “Over 50 developers have been called for this all-comprehensive meeting,” a source said.

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    According to top government officials, the minister may go ahead with major changes in policy and procedures to remove glitches in the system. He also plans to enhance inter-state co-operation to speed up land acquisition for national highways, which has been one of the major causes of delays.

    This apart, the minister may also clarify procedures and guidelines. In a recent report by Morgan Stanley, the investment bank had said that frequent changes in the bidding parameters had created uncertainty in the minds of developers. As a result, a large number of projects bid out in December 2008 received single bids, thus making the selection difficult.

    The government could award less than ten projects against a target of 60 in 2008-09. Highway development hit a hurdle after developers went to court over the short-listing procedure specified by the Planning Commission, alleging that it favoured the big fish.

    THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

    • Nath has called a meeting of major road developers to discuss the problems faced by them — procedural, financial or those related to bidding

    • Over 50 developers have been called for this meeting

    • They include GMR, GVK, Gammon India, Reliance Infrastructure, Soma, Simplex, Madhucon and Hindustan Construction Company

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    New Era in Road infrastructureBy: DSChari | 03-Jun-2009 Reply | Forward I hope, at least congress this time more foucus on significant growth in NHDP programme. Every one knows that, during last congress regime, NHDP was completely ignored. I request new trasnport minister that, don't changes policies frequenently since it will leads lost in confidence levels of major and minor infrastrcuture players in the market.
    Good intentionsBy: astrix91 | 03-Jun-2009 Reply | Forward This definitely shows good intentions, the outcome will depend upon implementation however, we must give credit where it is due. This shows the positive attitude of the minister. Infrastructural development is indedd the need of the day and with an able person like Kamalnath at the helm, we can expect some substantial growth in this sector. As for skeptics like Mr. Purohit, my advice is to observe before making such irresponsible remarks. Mega projects do need big fishes for efficient execution, anybody and everybody can not be qualified for these type of projects. Chanda to Motilal Bora does not get you the required proven track record. SO in effect this chanda only gets the smaller firms qualified by diluting the qualification criterion. Since these small fishes are battling it out in court, it only shows, prequalification guidelines were not diluted for the benefit of smaller companies who have the will to do these projects but not the necessary expertise and financial capabilities.
    surface transportBy: E.V.NARAYANAN | 03-Jun-2009 Reply | Forward THE PREVIOUS BJP MINISTER MR.KHANDURI HAS DONE EXCELLENT JOB ON IN HIS MINISTRY.WE HOPE THE NEW MINISTER WILL DO BETTER AND REALLY SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAJOR TRUNK ROADS AND RURAL ROADS DEVOLEPOMENTS .ALSO ROAD BUILDING SHOULD BE TIMEBOUND WITH QUALITY.THERE SHOULD BE NO PLACE FOR CORRUPTION.
    Good BeginingBy: R.Kannan | 03-Jun-2009 Reply | Forward Good development. The only way for progress is to have good infrastructure. I have travelled extensively in China
    Rural roadsBy: Dr B Sundara | 03-Jun-2009 Reply | Forward Besides the national high ways, there are great streches of rural roads that need attention, may be through the cooperation of the state governments.A rural road development plan may be drwan up and implemented. This would help mobility of rural people, improve the marketabilty of the agricultural produces,creat demand for personal and other transport vehicles and above all, provide employment.The Minister may also provide opportunity for smaller plyers too in the rural infrastructure development.Rural roads are the roads for rural prosperity.
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