National Highways Authority of India is likely to
appoint consultants for the sixth phase of the National Highways Development
Programme (NHDP-VI) by 2006. Currently, NHAI is undertaking feasibility studies
of the various stretches entailed by the programme. Appointment of contractors
is likely to take place in 2007.
NHDP-VI involves setting up of 1,000 km of
expressways four/six-lane in high-density parts of the country. The six
stretches that has been identified for pre-feasibility study are:
- Delhi-Chandigarh
- Delhi-Jaipur
- Delhi-Meerut
- Bangalore-Chennai
- Delhi-Agra
- Kolkata-Dhanbad
The programme would be initiated by the 400 km
Vadodara-Mumbai expressway has already been identified as a potential stretch.
Meanwhile, NHAI has planned to award contracts
for stretches up to 200 km under NHDP and will be implemented in two phases of
400 km and 600 km. This is being done to attract more FDI in the highways
development sector. Currently, contracts are limited to stretches up to 50 km.
According to the Planning Commission estimate,
the amount allocated for land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement,
utility relocation etc is being estimated to be around Rs.1,500 crore. The
estimate for actual cost of the works is being estimated at Rs.13,500 crore and
together the allocation made for NHDP will be around Rs.15,000 crore.
The central government may have to provide around
Rs.5,400 crore through the gap funding. The balance of Rs.8,100 crore will come
from private concessionaires.
The project is scheduled for completion by
December 2015.
Tender
invited for Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway (28-Dec-05)
Also See:
All
national highway projects on BOT basis: Government (15-Apr-05)