India to explore BOT modal in Transport sector to enhance quality of public mobility services

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, led a comprehensive review meeting involving Regional Officers from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). The meeting, held today in New Delhi, was aimed at exploring innovative approaches to invigorate the economy, reduce logistics costs, stimulate job creation, and enhance public mobility services.

The primary focus of the meeting revolved around the exploration of the 'Build-Operate-Transfer' (BOT) models, which have the potential to significantly enhance financial productivity and enable the department to undertake a more extensive range of projects. Shri Gadkari emphasized the vital importance of regular quality monitoring and expeditious execution of ongoing projects to ensure optimal outcomes.

Addressing the assembly, Gadkari articulated the central theme of the gathering, stating that it's about embracing innovation to empower the nation's economy. He stressed the need to reduce logistics costs, facilitate job generation, and elevate the quality of public mobility services to unprecedented levels.

In the pursuit of a 'Self-Reliant India' and the ambitious goal of achieving a $5 trillion economy, one critical aspect stands out prominently - the imperative to curtail logistics costs. To achieve this objective, the construction of excellent express highways has been accorded top priority, the Minister added.

Gadkari underlined the significance of cooperation, coordination, and communication among all stakeholders involved in these initiatives. He highlighted the essential role of performance audits, coupled with financial audits, in achieving the best possible results.

Throughout the day-long session, several pivotal issues were deliberated upon, including road safety, the development pipeline encompassing various modes such as BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer), HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model), and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), development of roads in hilly terrains, the quality of roads with an emphasis on sustainability, and road operation and maintenance.

The review meeting serves as a testament to the government's commitment to fostering innovation and efficiency in the transportation and infrastructure sectors. The focus on innovative financing models like BOT and the imperative to reduce logistics costs align with the broader vision of propelling India toward self-reliance and economic growth. The collaborative efforts and insights shared during this meeting are pivotal steps toward realizing these ambitious goals.