US $50 billion expected for road projects

HYDERABAD: A large investment to the tune of US $ 50 billion is expected in 53 road projects, each costing Rs. 1,000 crore to Rs. 1,500 crore in the country in the next one year.

Speaking on ‘Indian infrastructure: status, trends, issues and challenges’ at the Infrastructure Summit organised by the Indian School of Business (ISB) here on Tuesday, Associate Director of Ernst and Young Sushin Shyamal said roads in the country did not match the grown of vehicles.

Almost 80-90 per cent of vehicles used only 20 per cent of roads (especially national and State highways) in the country, and their quality was indeed an issue. There was a huge opportunity in the road sector, he said and highlighted the importance of public-private participation (PPP) mode in infrastructure development. Mr. Shyamal said 35 non-metro airports would be developed in the country in the 11th plan period.

Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail project N.V.S. Reddy said that only 40 per cent of motorised trips were through the public transport in the city, while it should have been 60-70 per cent. He deplored the poor conditions of the APSRTC buses. Stat ing that Hyderabad Metro rail was the biggest such project in the world, Mr. Reddy said that one railway line was equal to six bus lanes or 24 car lanes. The Metro Rail project was designed to ensure business development along the railway track and in the stations.