Connectivity is key for economic development

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1574935249082{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #9932cc !important;}"]In a qucik interaction with Construction Times, Dr. Harish Sharmaan Infrastructure Expert (Chief Business Officer & Operations) Rudrabhishek Enterprises Ltd (REPL) points out the feasibility of road capacity addition targets.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]How feasible is the capacity addition in the highways?

The capacity addition in the highways is clearly visible as the road construction in the past two years has been of 34 km per day. Finance Minister's first budget announcements also laid a roadmap for enhancing the capacity addition as she went on to say that connectivity is the lifeline of the economy. The various schemes of the government like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, industrial corridors, dedicated freight corridors etc. ensuring National Highway Grid which clearly provides an impetus to the construction of highways. The plan to carry out a comprehensive restructuring of National Highway Programme will ensure that the National Highway Grid of desirable length and capacity is created using financeable model.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Flyovers are never part of the initial design of the highways. However, the delays in the completion of highways make it necessary to construct flyovers Comment

The delays in the highways completion are due to land acquisition. Despite various amendments this remains to be a big hurdle and it has now become a prolonged issue. The information on the NHAI and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways also shows the same. Secondly, the flyovers or elevated roads are not been considered while preparing the DPR of any highway which can minimize the hurdle of land acquisition troubles. In order to remove this hurdle, it is important to look for options which can provide seamless progress for the construction of highways by including the provisions of flyover/elevated roads.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Land acquisition and funding still are significant impediments. Your take on this

For the development of any infrastructure project, Land acquisition and funding are the crucial drivers. With the PPP models gaining popularity and the govt focus on the infrastructure development the funding aspect is very well addressed. As far as funding is concerned, the budget allocation for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways was increased to Rs 83,016 crore in the budget as against Rs 71,000 crore in 2018-19 which was later revised to Rs 78,625.50 crore.    

With respect to the land acquisition, the policy level changes are needed to enable projects to get completed on time.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Urban development is a much talked about subject. Smart cities are seen as the future. However, there are major delays. Elaborate on the reason.             

Yes, there are delays in the implementation of Smart City Projects. It is majorly because of lack of timely support and willingness of stakeholders in supporting project implementation, Single Window
Clearance and NOC from the respective authorities. If you look at the demography of our country, the selected 100 cities have challenges for retrofitting / urban improvement projects. These challenges can be resolved with the intervention of state government and local administration leading to timely completion of ambitious projects. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]What is the impact of the economic downturn on the roads, infrastructure segment?

The impact of the economic slowdown is minimal on the roads and infrastructure segment. Although the government has been proactive enough as it announced slew of measures otherwise the impact would have taken a toll on the sectors.         

The recent announcements of the government will further enable fresh investments and has infused positivity in the stakeholders.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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