The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received 167 bids for the proposed Rs 4,500 crore eastern peripheral expressway. This project could be a sign of revival of the private sector interest in road projects.
The proposed 135 km long and six-lane expressway will connect Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, bypassing the national capital. But it had no takers when bids were called for in 2013, and it required to be taken up on build, operate, and transfer mode. However, NHAI is funding it in the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode this time.
NHAI invited requests for qualification in October 2014, and the last date for receipt of bids was 12 December, 2014. With NHAI financing, the developer will only need to undertake construction work.
In July 2013, the project had received Cabinet nod but could not take off due to lack of private sector interest and viability gap funding requirements.
The government has taken steps for fast tracking the development of the national highway projects. In 2013-14, 16 road projects were awarded and the work has already begun on 12 projects.
More Project Info:
Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal Expressway Project