Cement, Energy and Environment

The government proposes to construct one– way roads in Himachal Pradesh. "It is difficult to widen the existing roads, specifically between Kullu and Manali. Therefore, we have suggested that there will be one-way roads in the area," he added. On higher allocation for road projects in the Budget, Gadkari said: "We would seek more funds from the the finance minister." However, he declined to share further details. The minister, who reviewed over 250 road projects worth about R60,000 crore, said these highways are stuck, mainly due to reasons such as land acquisition and environment and forest clearance issues. These stalled projects would be up and running in the next three months. The ministry is trying to get faster clearances, Gadkari said. Courtesy: The Financial Express, New Delhi, 25.06.2014, Pg. No. 12-13 ROADS MINISTRY PREPARES LIST OF 11 PROJECTS TO BE AWARDED SOON The roads ministry has prepared a list of 11 projects worth more than Rs.18,000 crore that can be awarded within the next six months. Transport minister Nitin Gadkari had asked for a priority list of projects that can be processed promptly, an official said, requesting anonymity. 'The appraisal process for most of these projects is complete and we will present these for the approval of the minister. After that a cabinet committee on economic affairs note can be circulated ," the official said. "We should be able to award these projects with a six-month timeframe." The total length of these projects is 1,300 km. The ministry has set an internal target of awarding 8,500 km of roads in the fiscal year ending March next year. Of this 3,500 km of roads projects are expected to be awarded through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode and the remaining under the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode. The list includes projects such as Delhi-Meerut expressway and Eastern Peripheral Expressway. The push comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for a review meeting for different sectors that is expected to be convened soon. "We will include the list of these projects too in the presentation to be made to the Prime Minister," said another official, confirming the development. He too requested anonymity. Gadkari held a review meeting with ministry officials on 2 June to discuss the issues stalling growth in the roads sector and the targets set for this year. "We should be able to do much better this year. We are working to revive private sector interest. We have awarded nearly 1,300 km of road projects in the two months of April and May, which is encouraging," said the second official. The road sector has seen a sharp deceleration in activity over the past two years because of a slowing economy, delays in securing clearances and drying up of bank finance. The ministry awarded just 3, 169km of projects in the year ended 31 March against a target of 7,500km. In the previous year, it awarded 1,322km of projects against a target of 9,500km. "The ministry will be able to award these projects as long they ensure the projects are viable. Overall the sentiment has improved," said Parvesh Minocha, managing director of Feedback Infrastructure Services, an infrastructure services company. "There are companies who have the resources to undertake these projects but are only waiting for good projects. On the other hand most ' other developers, who are in a financially tight spot, are not in a position to put spoiling bids. The era of aggressive bidding is behind us." Courtesy: The Mint, New Delhi, 06.06.2014, Pg. No. 14-15 UK OFFERS £1 BN CREDIT LINE FOR INFRA PROJECTS British finance minister George Osborne on Tuesday announced a £1-billion-pound ($1.7- billion) credit line for investment in infrastructure projects in India. ''We have announced a 1billion-pound credit loan for investment in Indian infrastructure where there is some British content and that is the largest single credit line we have extended to any specific sector in any country," Osborne said. Osborne and British foreign secretary William Hague are on a two-day visit to India .to bolster trade and investment ties with Asia's thrrd largest economy. Courtesy: The Times of India, New Delhi, 09.07.2014, Page No. 8 38