 "Maharashtra puts Mumbai-Nagpur expressway project on fast-track")
Maharashtra government has put Rs 30,000-crore Mumbai Nagpur super communication expressway on fast-track. The state-run Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), nodal agency for the project, recently gave consultancy contract to STUP for preparation of feasibility cum detailed project report (DPR) for the 260 km Amravati section which entails investment of Rs 7,800 crore. Further, Wadia & Co has received consultancy contract for the 115-km Nashik section costing Rs 3,450 crore.
Besides, MSRDC has invited tenders for 128 km Nagpur section (Rs 3,840 crore), 165 km Aurangabad section (Rs 4,950 crore) and 80 km Konkan section (Rs 2,400 crore). The bidders have to submit bids by February 22 and they will be entitled to download request for proposal during February 22 and March 10. The bidders will have to submit RFP by March 10.
The bidding for consultancy for preparation of DPR has been launched when the state government has already issued orders for land acquisition.
MSRDC vice-chairman and managing director Radheysham Mopalvar told Business Standard, "The 800 km access controlled Nagpur Mumbai super communication highway has been divided into five sections. The construction cost for eight lane expressway is estimated at Rs 30 crore per km which involves six lanes of super communication highway and two lanes of service roads, utility shifting, bypass and other structures. The traveling time is expected to be reduced to eight hours from the present 16 hours."
He informed the project will be developed through engineering procurement construction (EPC) cum annuity basis. The consultants will have to prepare DPR in 40 weeks.
According to Mopalvar, MSRDC will to start the construction work by end of 2016 and thereafter complete it in 27 months.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during Make In India Week said the proposed expressway will be game changer as it will give a much needed boost to farming in the under developed Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Maharashtra. Fadnavis has given a tight deadline for MSRDC to complete the expressway by September 2019.
On the other hand, the union minister of roads and highways Nitin Gadkari said the Nagpur Mumbai super expressway will be world class matching the quality and specifications in advanced nations and once completed would result in huge savings in fuel cost.