NPCI/Banks step up e-Tolling “FASTag”. Surge in demand by fleet operators reported. Apparently supply unable to meet demand. Good sign!

“FASTag” bringing desired change in hiway tolling. Cashless, online recharge, alerts & real time update on usage & dedicated help desks.

Tolling in the times of demonetisation

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) which launched FASTag in April has rolled out the service across 40 out of 350 highways. It has also made arrangements to ease the pain of resumption of tolling, which started on December 2, with a variety of measures.

Arbitration awards stuck in red tape

In August, the government had issued a directive to state agencies to release 75% of the funds stuck in arbitration awards which were in favour of the private sector. However, no disbursement has taken place, say, infrastructure companies.

Believe PMO very upset with infra bureaucracy for tardiness in implementing decision to release 75% funds of +ive arbitration awards.

Laying the foundation for an improved realty sector

According to the Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA) all state governments were to put in place the Act’s rules and regulations by October 31, but most states missed the deadline. The Ministry of Urban Development finalised the general rules and regulations for agreement of sale for the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Other states are expected to follow soon.

Real Estate Regulation Act to come into full force operationally from 1st May 2017. Insufficient groundwork till date across most states.

Laying the foundation for an improved realty sector

According to the Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA) all state governments were to put in place the Act’s rules and regulations by October 31, but most states missed the deadline. The Ministry of Urban Development finalised the general rules and regulations for agreement of sale for the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Other states are expected to follow soon.

About time: CAG report tabled in Parliament requests for far more standardisation of data in recording Discom T&D losses.

CAG report highlights anomalies

The government auditor has expressed concern over implementation of a scheme meant for reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses. It has flagged variations in figures for these losses in various documents presented by the power ministry before Parliament.

Positioned between Metro & Bullet – R22,000 Cr RRT (Rapid Rail Transit) to debut between Meerut-Delhi @160 kms/hr. NCR Board clears.

RRTs (Rapid Rail Transit) can create a class of “sleepers towns” around metropolises and greatly reduce urbanisation pressures on them.

RRT to boost UP economy

Travel time between Delhi and Meerut would reduce to 35 minutes from the current two hours once the RRT becomes operational. The project is expected to benefit not just commuters but also boost the economy of western UP.

Cooperative Federalism: Heartening to see 16 states responding positively to Rly Minister’s request to partner on railway projects.

A win-win partnership

Sixteen states will share the cost of 43 railway projects worth R62,379 crore. The objective is to speed up implementation of laying of new lines and development of stations among others.

Finance Ministry suggests one more CESS! This time to railways. Recommends Safety Cess on tickets to set up R1.19 lac cr Rail Safety Fund.

Ticket to safety

A hike in the price of railway tickets is likely as the finance ministry wants a safety cess to be levied. It will help raise funds to upgrade signalling systems, provide for track maintenance and other safety related measures.

– Vinayak Chatterjee is Chairman of Feedback Infra

His Twitter handle: @Infra_VinayakCh

A weekly selection of the author’s tweets—

with a brief backgrounder—in the infra space, by Adite Banerjie