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TICKER TAPE
INFRASTRUCTURE In a bid to draw investors, the National Highways Authority of India self-sustaining models for other expressways as toll revenues are
HIGHWAYS SECTOR RIPE FOR INVESTMENT, SAYS CENTRE
ring-fenced to service SPV debt.
(NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
RFID and other initiatives lend comfort
have highlighted investment opportunities across roads, wayside
On the positive side, there has been a sharp improvement in
amenities, and Multi Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs). At a recent
toll collection at toll plazas, driven by higher radio frequency
meeting, the NHAI highlighted that projects worth `7 trn were
likely to be awarded over the next 2-3 years. These include: (1)
identification (RFID), which has reached around 97% level. With
remaining projects of Bharatmala worth around `5-6 trn; (2) setting
the monetisation of such road stretches. The report has estimated
up of 35 MMLPs worth `500 bn; (3) setting up of wayside amenities
(`30 bn); (4) intermodal stations (`80 bn); (5) ropeways (`150 bn) an improvement in transparency, this lends comfort to NHAI on
toll revenues of `380 bn by FY2023.
and (6) an optical fibre network (`30 bn). In the road sector, the
Centre also plans to award BOT projects worth `200 bn over the Targetting MMLPs to improve logistics
next 2-3 years. The government plans to set up 35 MMLPs at a total project cost
of `500 bn, developing them under the DBFOT model. Bids have
Monetisation targets higher than past achievements already been invited for Chennai and Nagpur MMLPs and are
However, the monetisation targets set by the government through expected for Bangalore and Indore in the next 2-3 months. The
the TOT and InvIT routes are much higher than what has been government has invited suggestions from private sector players
achieved in the past, the report has said, estimating monetisation to make the programme more investor friendly.
proceeds of `120 bn by FY2023. The highway ministry intends to
raise 400 bn via TOT bundles for 5,500 km of road projects and Annual road ordering
200 bn via InvIT, as against an amount of `170 bn raised in the While improved RFID penetration has helped increase toll
past three years for 1,400 km via the TOT model and `60 bn via collections sharply, debt repayment liability and higher cost of
the InvIT route during FY2022. MoRTH also intends to raise `600 Bharatmala would keep the annual ordering level in the 4,500-
bn via SPV financing for greenfield expressways by FY2024. The 5,000 km range, with an increase from these levels having to be
NHAI was able to raise around `250 bn for the Delhi-Mumbai backed by increased monetisation and government support, the
expressway via SPV financing and would look to employ similar report said.

RAILWAY MINISTER LAYS FOUNDATION STONE FOR 1 to 5. Odisha’s Bhubaneswar railway station achieved a 4-star
SECOND ENTRY, CIRCULATING AREA OF INDIAN rating, which indicates exemplary efforts made by the Indian
RAILWAYS CUTTACK STATION Railways authorities at Bhubaneswar station in ensuring that safe
Indian Railways to improve passenger amenities and provide and hygienic food is provided to passengers. The catering stalls
convenience to passengers in Odisha! Today, Railway Minister at the station are provided with a Food license certificate. Also,
Ashwini Vaishnaw laid the foundation stone of the second the vendors at the station are having medical fitness certificates.
entry and circulating area of Cuttack railway station. With the
development of the second entry as well as the circulating area L&T TO CONSTRUCT BULLET TRAIN PROJECT PACKAGE
of Cuttack railway station, railway passengers will be able to enjoy NEAR VADODARA
various benefits which include wider approach road to the railway Larsen & Toubro (L&T) construction arm has bagged a significant
station, better parking facilities for vehicles with pickup and drop order from National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL).
service, terminal building with facilities such as ticket counters, The major scope of work for the project comprises design and
escalator, lift, lounge, restaurant, etc. Besides, an LHB train has construction of civil and building works for a double-line high
been flagged off from Bhubaneshwar station. speed railway of a length of 8.198 km.
The Railway Minister along with Education Minister Dharmendra The construction arm of Larsen & Toubro has secured an order
Pradhan flagged off Puri – Hatia – Puri Tapaswini Express with Linke from the esteemed National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited
Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches. The train made its inaugural run (NHSRCL), to design and construct Package No. – MAHSR-C-5 of
from Bhubaneshwar railway station. The new Puri – Hatia – Puri the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project, the first high
Tapaswini Express train boasts comfortable seats for a better ride speed rail corridor being implemented in the country.
experience, enhanced safety features such as CCTV, use of fire The scope of the work also includes the major station of Vadodara,
retardant materials, etc., aesthetic modular interiors with more confirmation car base, viaduct and bridges, crossing bridges,
seating capacities. architectural and other associated works.
Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar railway station of the Khurda road The project alignment passes through Vadodara, Gujarat and the
division has been certified as “Eat Right Station”, according to East project is scheduled to be completed within 49 months.
Coast Railways. The certificate has been granted to the station L&T is already executing two other packages of the high-speed
for providing high-quality, nutritious food to railway passengers. corridor and takes pride in being associated with this prestigious
The “Eat Right Station” certificate was awarded to the station after project. Over the years, L&T has significantly enhanced its
the conclusion of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of capability to build faster, and reliable mass transit systems and
India (FSSAI) empanelled 3rd Party Audit Agency with ratings from this project is in line with its strategic goals.

96 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|FEBRUARY 2022