Asian Development Bank has approved Rs. 12,850 million for 22 roads in MP: Sulaiman

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
 
Bhopal : The Asian Development Bank, (ADB), has approved a loan of Rs. 12,850 million for the construction of 22 roads in Madhya Pradesh
    
Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation, (MPRDC), Managing Director Mohammed Sulaiman has informed that an agreement to this effect was signed in New Delhi recently and the roads would be built by MPRDC in the State.
    
The Bharatiya Janata Party ruled Madhya Pradesh Government has decided to develop, upgrade and strengthening of 22 roads besides few district main roads with the financial assistance of the ADB.
    
It may be pointed out that construction works of 1602 kilometer long roads is in progress in the first phase with the assistance of the ADB under which several state highways are being developed. In the second phase, 22 roads measuring 1628.52 kilometers would be developed with the approved amount of Rs. 12,850 million and the responsibility to implement these projects have been given by the Madhya Pradesh Government to the MPRDC by classifying 22 roads into 15 construction packages.
    
Sulaiman further informed that the construction activities would start within a period of 15 months after completion of the necessary formalities whereas the period of 39 to 50 months has been registered in other road projects. Moreover, 80 per cent sum is being provided by the ADB in this project in comparison to 70 per cent in other road projects. The state government is saving Rs 2400 million to 3600 million by initiating immediate action in this regard.
    
He further informed that the finalization of the tenders is expected in the month of August to undertake construction immediately after the monsoon.
    
Sulaiman added that a wide publicity was decided before issuing tenders and a team led by the vice chairman and PWD Minister had visited New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. Meetings were organized at these places and all the major road construction companies were informed about the friendly policies of the Madhya Pradesh Government. It was necessary as several construction projects were being implemented in all the states specially by the Union Government and there is a shortage of good construction agencies.
    
The road show organized by the corporation has attained a great success and the minister for PWD Kailash Vijayvargiya himself encouraged the construction agencies to participate in the tendering process. The positive attitude of the Madhya Pradesh Government has resulted in sale of 259 tender forms and 68 tenders have been received from 29 companies for road construction works. ([email protected])