The Planning Commission and the ministry of road, highway & transport have decided to resolve their differences over the the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, billed as the country’s first such project under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. In a letter to Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, road minister CP Joshi has requested for inputs of the latter’s adviser, Gajendra Haldea, for the project.
The move is being seen as attempt by the road ministry to build bridges with the commission, which plays an important role in framing policies for the development of PPP initiatives of the government. The two have often been at loggerheads over various policy prescriptions given by the commission for the development of roads and highways in the country. Haldea, known for his work on developing model concession agreements (MCA) for PPP initiatives in various infrastructure sectors, is likely to prepare the MCA for expressways. This is necessary before bids are invited for developers for the Delhi-Jaipur project.
Confirming the development, Haldea told FE: ?Yes, the minister for roads, highways and transport has written to the deputy chairman and, soon, I will work with them on this project.? He, however, did not provide any further details.
Sources in the commission, however, said that Haldea’s role would be advisory in nature; and to oversee that the showcase project makes rapid progress. The actual project implementation will be done by the ministry itself. The expressway holds the key for future of these access controlled road projects in the country.
The Delhi-Jaipur Expressway is expected to cost around R15,000 crore. Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi have already expressed their support to the ministry for the project. ?If the proposed project goes as per the plan and land acquisition does not become an issue, then the project would be completed in 4-5 years,? the source added.
