Nod to develop 471 km highways at Rs 4,618 cr

Four proposals to widen a total of 471 km of highways have been approved by the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. The proposed road works require an investment of Rs 4,618 crore. The projects are Jabalpur-Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Demow-Bogibil, Jorhat-Demow and Numaligarh-Jorhat.

The project in Madhya Pradesh, which is a 294-km stretch and involves Rs 2,686 crore investment, will be taken up on a build-operate-transfer – (BOT-toll) basis. This means the project developer will invest in widening the road and collect toll revenues over the concession period.

Three other projects will be taken up on BOT (annuity) basis, which means the road developer will invest in developing the project, and get two annual payments from the Government over the entire concession period. Toll revenues will be collected by Government.