Raipur eyes PPP option for four projects

The state government has decided to execute four important projects in the proposed new capital under public private partnership (PPP) pattern.

About 72 companies of national repute have expressed their interest to develop the new capital of Chhattisgarh.

"The representatives of the 72 companies attended a pre-bid conference for the three projects and presentation of the new capital project. They have shown keen interest in the new capital project," chairman of Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) and additional chief secretary P Joy Oommen said.

The state department of information technology also gave a presentation exhibiting rich potential in the IT and industrial sectors in the state. The representatives of the companies visited new capital site 20 km from here and inspected the area.

The authority has issued request for proposal for the three of the four major projects. The three projects include Information Technology Special Economic Zone (IT SEZ), hotel and conventional center, and township-golf club.

The IT SEZ will come up in an area of 20 hectares while the hotel and convention centre will be developed in 11 hectares. The township and golf club will be developed in 159 hectares of area.

Last month, the authority re-floated open tender for the construction of secretariat building in the new capital following high rates quoted by the companies selected earlier for the work.

The authorities will soon start the next process. The authority had earlier proposed a budget of Rs 125 crore for the new secretariat building.

The lowest rate quoted by the five companies qualified was Rs 246 crore, about double the rate fixed by the government.

Prominent companies that have shown interest for the three projects include DLF, Lanco, Reliance Energy, Ashiana Group, K Raheja Corporation, Unitech, Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited, Valecha Engineering, Akruti Nirman Limited, Royal Orchid, Hiranandani and Company, Vipul Infrastructure Developers Limited.