India, Bhutan discuss possibility of road linking Tawang-Assam
India and Bhutan have discussed ways to improve security along the international border and the possibility of opening a road, linking Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang with Assam via the Himalayan country. Better security coordination along the Indo-Bhutan border, more trade between Bhutan and Indian states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal, cultural exchange and a host of other issues were discussed by Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju with the top Bhutanese leadership, including Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, during his two-day visit here that ended yesterday. During the meeting, the Bhutanese Prime Minister is believed to have cited various concerns of the people of Bhutan because of which the country is not yet ready for proposal like joint security along the border, sources said. Bhutan has in the past cooperated with India and helped to flush out militant groups like United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) from the Himalayan nation. Besides, there were several incidents in the past along the border in which Bhutanese nationals were attacked by NDFB militants. “Honourable Prime Minister of Bhutan is known for his humility and vision. I am touched by his acknowledgement of my useful meeting with him. He has clear commitments for India and useful relation with neighbouring Northeastern India,” Rijiju said. Besides issues of cultural exchange, more trade with Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal, better security coordination, Rijiju discussed with Bhutanese leaders how to improve relations in spiritual and religious fields. “I raised the issue of road link of strategic Tawang with Assam via eastern Bhutan,” he said. Rijiju said he had “fruitful meetings” with Bhutan’s Foreign Minister, Home Minister, Army Chief of Bhutan and discussed various issues with them. During his meeting with Bhutanese Army Chief Batoo Tshering, the Minister discussed providing security at the Indo-Bhutan border and to the citizens. “India-Bhutan friendship is unique which has direct bearing on Northeast India. It was a fantastic visit,” Rijiju said. Indo-Bhutan friendship is fantastic due to our shared cultural and spiritual heritage and common political interest, he said. The Bhutanese Prime Minister said in a tweet that he had enjoyed hosting Rijiju in the country. “Enjoyed discussing a range of issues with Kiren Rijiju, India’s MOS of Home Affairs, this afternoon,” Tobgay tweeted. Jeff Driskel Jersey
WhatsApp to be used to help repair roads in Bihar
Tech savvy Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav has decided to use instant messaging platform Whatsapp to help construct and repair roads, officials said on Thursday. Tejaswi, 26, has released a WhatsApp number (9470001346) for people to click a picture of a bad road and send it in order to get repair work done. “In Bihar, people can now directly WhatsApp the conditions of roads under the Output and Performance Based Road Assets Maintenance Contract (OPRMC) to bring more quality and efficiency,” Tejaswi, who is also road construction minister, tweeted. According to road construction department officials, Tejaswi has been using Whatsapp as a new tool to ensure people to directly inform the concerned government agency to construct or repair broken roads. “It is a new people-friendly experiment using Whatsapp for better roads in the state,” the officials said. Earlier, people used to submit their complaint to the department and it was forwarded to a concerned engineer which led to delay of the repair works. This is not first time Tejaswi decided to use social media to help people. Last December, he helped an engineering student from Sitamarhi district to get his pending scholarship through Facebook. After engineering student informed Tejaswi on his Facebook account that he was unable to get the post-matric scholarship for the last three years despite much effort. Tejaswi immediately directed officials concerned to look into the complaint and ensure the youth received his scholarship money. Mike Hilton Jersey
NHAI gets green nod for Rs1,246-crore UP road upgradation project
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received environment clearance for updgrading the 146-km long carriageway of Kanpur (Chakeri) to Allahabad section of NH-2 in Uttar Pradesh at a cost of Rs 1,246 crore. “Based on the recommendation of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), the Environment Ministry yesterday gave environment clearance to the NHAI’s proposal ‘Rehabilitation and Upgradation of existing carriageway of Kanpur (Chakeri) to Allahabad section of NH-2,” a senior government official said. The approval has been given subject to the compliance of the specific and general conditions, the official said. The total cost of the project would be Rs 1,246 crore. The total length of the proposed road section is 145.31 km, which passes through three districts — Kanpur (23.7 km), Fatehpur (90.33 km) and Kaushambi (32.2 km) in UP. As per the proposal, the road will be widened to six lanes with 10.5-metre carriageway width on either side, 1.5-metre wide paved shoulder and 2-metre wide earthen shoulder. Service roads will also be widened in the build-up sections. The upgradation of this section would involve construction of three flyovers, two toll plazas, one major bridge, eight new and minor bridges and 176 culverts, among others. Among conditions specified, NHAI has been asked to construct suitable over-bridges in Sarsoul and other villages where road crossing is an issue. Since 12,305 trees are likely to be affected due to six laning, the company has been asked to take adequate measures to build green belt. Baker Mayfield Womens Jersey
NHAI gets green nod for Rs1,246-crore UP road upgradation project
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received environment clearance for updgrading the 146-km long carriageway of Kanpur (Chakeri) to Allahabad section of NH-2 in Uttar Pradesh at a cost of Rs 1,246 crore. “Based on the recommendation of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), the Environment Ministry yesterday gave environment clearance to the NHAI’s proposal ‘Rehabilitation and Upgradation of existing carriageway of Kanpur (Chakeri) to Allahabad section of NH-2,” a senior government official said. The approval has been given subject to the compliance of the specific and general conditions, the official said. The total cost of the project would be Rs 1,246 crore. The total length of the proposed road section is 145.31 km, which passes through three districts — Kanpur (23.7 km), Fatehpur (90.33 km) and Kaushambi (32.2 km) in UP. As per the proposal, the road will be widened to six lanes with 10.5-metre carriageway width on either side, 1.5-metre wide paved shoulder and 2-metre wide earthen shoulder. Service roads will also be widened in the build-up sections. The upgradation of this section would involve construction of three flyovers, two toll plazas, one major bridge, eight new and minor bridges and 176 culverts, among others. Among conditions specified, NHAI has been asked to construct suitable over-bridges in Sarsoul and other villages where road crossing is an issue. Since 12,305 trees are likely to be affected due to six laning, the company has been asked to take adequate measures to build green belt. Roquan Smith Authentic Jersey
Infrastructure output growth hits 5-month low in May
Infrastructure sectors grew at five-month low rate of 2.8 per cent in May, slipping from a four-year high of 8.5 per cent in previous month, as oil and natural gas output contracted. The eight infrastructure sectors — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity — had expanded by 4.4 per cent in May 2015. The eight core sectors comprise nearly 38 per cent of total industrial production. In April, these sectors grew at an over four-year high rate of 8.5 per cent, helped by double-digit expansion in refinery products and electricity generation. The May growth numbers are the lowest since December last when the core sector had expanded by just 0.9 per cent. A decline in production of crude oil (-3.3 per cent) and natural gas (-6.9 per cent) dragged the growth rate to a five-month low. Also, growth in output of refinery products (1.2 per cent), cement (2.4 per cent) and electricity (4.6 per cent) also slowed down in May as compared to the same month last year. These segments had expanded by 7.8 per cent, 2.7 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively in May 2015. Coal output growth was also lower at 5.5 per cent in May this year compared to 7.6 per cent in year-ago period. Only fertiliser and steel output recorded healthy growth. It increased by 14.8 per cent and 3.2 per cent in the month under review. During April-May 2016-17, the growth of eight core infrastructure sectors increased by 5.5 per cent from 2.1 per cent in the same period last year. Brandon Allen Jersey
AMRL SEZ set to become industrial growth engine in southern Tamil Nadu
The multi-product SEZ, financed by Srei and marketed by another Srei initiative Attivo, is ready to house diverse industries, including electronics, general engineering, aerospace, auto and components, solar, renewable energy, food processing, and many more. The SEZ has the potential to generate direct employment in excess of 50,000 over the next decade, the company’s media statement stated. Spread over 2,518 acres in Nanguneri, Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, AMRL SEZ has created a sustainable and comprehensive industrial zone. The SEZ has easy access to the Tuticorin port and airport, and is well-connected with road and railway networks, allowing industries to connect and communicate with both global and national markets with ease. This is complemented with assured water supply, telecommunication infrastructure and availability of skilled, employable and inexpensive human resources. Incidentally, Tamil Nadu government’s Global Investors Meet in 2015 showcased the attractive growth prospects of the state and demonstrated the state government’s commitment in maintaining its position as one of India’s most preferred investment destinations. While the SEZ has been operational for some time, current initiatives have given a further impetus to the on ground development. The first phase of the SEZ, spread over 1,250 acres, offers investors an opportunity to actively participate in the Tamil Nadu growth story. Commenting on the development, Attivo Economic Zones CEO Indranil Dasgupta said: “We expect the SEZ which can also offer an adjacent domestic tariff area (DTA) in the near future, to kick-start the industrialization of the region. Being located in the less developed part of the state, the government offers a slew of incentives to encourage industry to set up facilities in this part of the state.” Elaborating further, Dasgupta added, “Tamil Nadu is the second largest contributor to India’s GDP. Through AMRL SEZ , we will be able to participate in the growth story of the state and be the engine for Tamil Nadu’s economic growth and development in the southern region.” With the financial support received from Srei and the marketing efforts of Attivo Economic Zones, AMRL SEZ management expects to bring in domestic as well as global investments. Presently, the SEZ has nine companies on board across industry like LED lighting, pumps, solar components and warehousing. Charlie Blackmon Authentic Jersey
UP government releases funds to expand Ganga Canal road
Uttar Pradesh government has released Rs 66 crore for the expansion of the Ganga Canal road to double lane. The executive engineer of PWD Department Dharam Prakash told reporters today that the 108 km-long Ganga canal road would be expanded to double lane fom the existing single lane. He said funds to the tune of Rs 165 crore have been sanctioned for the project. The road connects Uttarakhand and Muradnagar in the state. This project, which would be competed in 2017, would facilitate easy passage of the ‘Kawad’ pilgrims and reduce the traffic burden on Delhi-Haridwar National Highway. Construction work on the project has been started. David Perron Womens Jersey
Government asks LIC to fund road expansion projects
The Indian government will be leaning on the stateowned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), India’s largest insurer, to fund its ambitious road expansion plans and the insurer is set to open its purse strings for highways development, boosting the government’s aim to step up road construction to 40 kms a day. The road transport and highways ministry hopes to sign an agreement with LIC for the purchase of annual bonds issued by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). In the current financial year, LIC is likely to subscribe NHAI bonds worth at least Rs 10,000 crore, a senior road transport and highways ministry official said and an agreement to the effect is expected to be signed soon. The ministry will use the money raised through LIC for four-laning of highway projects. Roads transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed that his ministry was in talks with LIC to raise funds. LIC did not respond to email query sent by ET. The highways ministry has set a daily road construction target of 40 kms. The finance ministry has allowed NHAI to raise bonds worth Rs 50,000 crore other than Rs 15,000 crore through tax-free bonds. The Nitin Gadkari ministry has been in talks with LIC for raising money for almost six months. It had earlier sought Rs 50,000 crore in various tranches from the stateowned life insurer. “We are finalising the contours of the agreement. LIC has assured us that they would subscribe to NHAI bonds,” an official with the ministry said. In the current financial year, the government plans to undertake the construction of 15,000 kms of national highways that would cost around Rs 1.5 lakh crore, while the ministry has received a budgetary allocation of Rs 57,000 crore. MASALA BONDS NHAI is also planning to raise at least Rs 7,000 crore through masala bonds. Masala bonds refer to rupee denominated bonds, which are issued overseas. The money raised would mostly be used for constructing by-passes along the national highways. “We are consulting SBI Caps and plan to come up with an expression of interest soon. We will look at raising the money at the least borrowing cost of around 5%,” the official said. However, masala bonds are yet to take off months after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notified the rules for them. As many as six companies have tried, but eventually declined, to issue these bonds, citing high costs. “Masala bonds are yet to take off as they are extremely challenging. If the road ministry is successful at raising them, it could pave way for other infrastructure initiatives as well,” said Jaijit Bhattacharya, partner at KPMG. Nick Markakis Authentic Jersey
All cities in Punjab to be connected with 4-6 lanes by 2017: Sukhbir Singh Badal
Pitching for all-round development in Punjab, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that all the major cities and towns of the state would be connected with 4-6 lane roads by 2017. The SAD-BJP government is laying an extensive road network, a prerequisite to development, making Punjab the second state in the country to have a road network of such a broad scale, he said. Addressing a Sangat Darshan programme here, Sukhbir said special attention has been paid to develop the road infrastructure around Moga which would soon get another impetus as the construction of the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar-Moga-Barnala road has already begun, thus providing a vital link in connecting Doaba and Malwa regions, adding that the project would cost around Rs 1,500 crore. The Deputy Chief Minister said the SAD-BJP government has been the “harbinger of massive development and prosperity” in Punjab in the last nine years which is amply clear from the state achieving a ‘power surplus’ status. He said power production has doubled in the state with the investment of Rs 23,520 crore, besides spending Rs 4,000 crore on development and facelift of cities and towns which would ensure sewerage and clean drinking water facilities, thus giving a boost to infrastructure. Talking about the state government’s initiatives in the farming sector, Sukhbir said the process to disburse new tubewell connections has commenced and soon enough, the needy farmers would have power-run motors installed in their fields. He said the free health insurance scheme has been running successfully in the state as 23,000 people have availed the benefits. Badal exuded confidence that riding on its development plank, the SAD-BJP coalition would score a “hat-trick” in the 2017 Assembly polls in Punjab. He alleged that in spite of the “long list of achievements” of the state government, the political rivals are deliberately playing a “devious game” to “defame” Punjab. He said, first the Sikhs were branded as “terrorists” and now, the entire Punjabi community is being painted as “drug addicts” thanks to a “deep-rooted conspiracy”. Badal said a drive to fill 7,000 vacancies in posts of constables in the police department has begun with the receipt of 5.5 lakh applications. He also said dope tests would be conducted on the eligible candidates and the result would be a “befitting reply” to the “anti-Punjab and anti-development” forces. Duron Harmon Womens Jersey
Government requires Rs 1.4 lakh crore to construct roads in FY’17
Government will need about Rs 1.4 lakh crore to achieve its target of constructing 15,000 kms of road in this fiscal, Niti Aayog said in a report. According to the report on targets for the infrastructure sector for 2016-17, Rs 70,000 crore should be raised through Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) and Internal Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR), a senior government official said. “Then through various cess, the target for Road Ministry is to raise about Rs 33,000 crore, through tolls Rs 8,000 crore and Rs 27,000 crore from private investment,” he added. The government has set a target of completing 15,000 km of road in the current fiscal from 6,061 km in 2015-16. It also aims to award 25,000 km of road projects this fiscal from 10,098 km a year ago. Of the total length of National Highways targeted, 15,000 km would fall under the NHAI and 10,000 km under the Ministry and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL). National Highways Authority of India’s target for construction has been fixed at 8,000 km while for the Ministry and NHIDCL, the target is 7,000 km. For the 2016-17 budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has allocated Rs 55,000 crore for roads and highways. This will be further topped up by an additional Rs 15,000 crore to be raised by NHAI through bonds. The total investment in the road sector, including PMGSY (Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojna) allocation, would be Rs 97,000 crore during 2016-17. The speeding up of road projects has been made possible due to policy interventions such as ministry being empowered to decide mode of delivery, increased threshold for project approval, enhanced inter-ministerial coordination, Exit Policy and innovative models such as the Hybrid Annuity Model. Other steps included amendments to the Model Concession Agreement for BOT projects, segregation of Civil Cost from Capital Cost for NH projects for appraisal and approval, rationalised compensation to concessionaires for languishing NH projects in BOT mode for delays not attributable to them. India has the second largest road network of 5.23 million km in the world and consists of 200 km of expressways, about 1 lakh km of national highways, 1.31 lakh km of state highways and other roads. About 65 per cent of freight and 80 per cent of passenger traffic is carried by the roads. National Highways constitute only about 2 per cent of the road network but carry about 40 per cent of the total traffic. Denzel Ward Authentic Jersey