Ahmedabad highways to get traveller-friendly

Those plying on Gujarat's highways could soon be in for a royal treatment. In an initiative being worked upon by the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB), a 'transport nagar' or a central truck terminal is being planned on the outskirts of Ahmedabad to serve travellers and truck drivers.

Gujarat boasts of having one of the best roadway infrastructure systems in the country.

Still at a concept stage, the terminal will be installed with ATM centres enabling travellers to withdraw cash while in transit. A medical dispensary for accidents or any other health emergencies will be developed within the property.

Also, the terminal will house a truck repair station, truck supplies, petrol pumps and a rest dormitory for truck drivers with trained personnel. Close to 700-750 trucks in transit are likely to be served on a daily basis.

Sources close to GIDB have confirmed that such a project is being planned. "A parcel of eight hectres of land on the outskirts of Ahmedabad is being looked into as a possible location. Other than that four to five areas near the city are also being considered," said a highly placed source.

While financials for the project are yet to be worked out, early estimates are pointing to something around Rs 20 crore.

Delhi-based Feedback Ventures has been roped in by GIDB to conduct the feasibility studies. Initial studies have been conducted by the company. When contacted, officials of Feedback Ventures said the project structuring was still in the conceptualisation stage and the details would be finalised in the next few months.

In the next stage, the state government plans to invite bids from private companies for developing the facilities proposed within the terminal.

Recently, in an another public-private partnership (PPP), the Western India Automobile Association of India (WIAA)-Castrol Institute of Motoring had expressed its intent to collaborate with the Department of Transport and Directorate of Employment and Training to develop testing facilities for vehicles around Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat.