18 firms to handle New Raipur road project

The Chhattisgarh government has shortlisted 18 companies for taking up roads construction work in the proposed new capital. The 63km roads of international standards would be constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 400 crore.

The government received applications from about two dozen companies from different parts of the country for constructing roads in the new capital""that would come up about 20 km from the existing capital.

After short listing, the Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA)""the executing agency of the new capital project""selected 18 companies.

Sources said the companies had been asked to submit the proposals by September 15. By the end of next month, the formalities would be completed and the construction work would get off, sources added.

Under the project designed, the roads would be constructed in two phases""each of Rs 200 crore. All the roads would be four lanes while the old capital would be connected with the new one by an express highway. The government had acquired the required land for the road works.

The new capital city that would be of international standards would be located between NH-6 and NH-43.

The infrastructure development would take place in 8,000 hectares of land while another 22,000 hectares has been earmarked as buffer and green zone.

The authority is also finalising the schemes for water supply and sewerage systems in the new capital.Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) had been appointed as consultant for the project. Sources said soon tender would be invited for both the projects.

Recently, the Naya Raipur Development Authority had invited fresh tenders for the construction of secretariat building in Naya Raipur following high rates quoted by the companies selected for the work.