Bids for the Hyderabad-Vijaywada four-lane highway and two other highway projects would be soon invited, state minister for roads, buildings and ports K Vijaya Rama Rao said here today. Delivering keynote address at a seminar on 'Developing Infrastructure of AP for Future Needs' he said the detailed techno-feasibility reports for the three projects are ready.
The Seminar was organised by Federation of AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI).
He told entrepreneurs that they need not be bogged down by viability considerations and gestation periods of infrastructure projects as the government is exploring all possible means to improve the returns from the projects.
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The minister said the response to bid notice for by-pass roads has been rather subdued.
He said there are about 200 bridge projects open for private sector participation. About 90 of them are on build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. The 226-km four-lane outer ring-road around Hyderabad is also planned as a BOT project.
Mohanlal Gupta, president, FAPCCI, said the government should facilitate development of villages outside city limits as satellite towns by providing proper transport and other infrastructure facilities.
He also suggested bus lanes should be introduced on wide roads as in Mumbai.
C V Atchut Rao, chairman, infrastructure committee of FAPCCI, said though there are 12 minor ports under the state government' control, Kakinada Port is the only one functioning as a full-fledged port.
As the Central government has identified Kakinada for establishing Special Economic Zone, he said there is an urgent need for taking further steps to provide more facilities and strengthening the road network to the port. The port should be linked to other cities via rail tracks he said.