Mumbai, May, 07 (EPC News): Construction work over the country’s longest rail-cum-road bridge, Bogibeel Bridge, is on a faster pace and will complete by 2015, informs the Chief Public Relation Officer of Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR), S. Hajong. 

The 4.9 km Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge comprises of a double line broad gauge track and a 3 lane road-connecting two existing railway networks starting from Chaulkhowa and Moranhat stations (South) and between Sisibargaon and Siripani station of Rangiya-Mukongselek section (North).

“Work on main bridge and north bank rail link between Dhamalgaon (South Bank) and New Sisibragaon (North Bank) including National Highway approach road links is nearing completion,” informs DC Borah, Senior PRO (Construction), North East Frontier Railways.

Further of the 42 pillars, work on 10 pillars is underway. “Construction of 32 out of 42 support pillars and two separate guide bunds of 2.792km (north bank) and 2.043km (south bank) have been accomplished,” says Borah. These bunds built on the banks of Brahmaputra have narrowed the river width from 10.3km to its half. 

Construction of common approach embankment up to south abutment and north abutment inside the river, strengthening of the South Bank Dyke and North Bank Dyke (9km upstream and 7km downstream) and finalization of design and drawing of super-structure equipped with latest technology were highlighted as the project’s major achievements by Borah. 

The project sanctioned in 1997-98, was inaugurated by former Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee in April, 2002. Though the project execution was on a slower pace, the Government declaration of it as a ‘National Project’ in 2007 helped in gaining momentum, believes NFR.

The slower execution has led to cost overruns almost doubling the project’s cost from Rs1,767 crore to Rs3,230 crore. “The inflation in raw materials (steel and cement prices) are a major cause for doubling the project cost,” says Hajong.

He further points the non-availability of longer dry seasons and existence of longer monsoons as the other major hindrance for project delay. 

Of the allotted Rs3,230 crore, around Rs2,404 crore were utilized for the project. The project, a part of the Assam Accord 1985, further facilitates in establishing strong connectivity in the eastern region of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. “This project can strengthen national security of the eastern region of India,” believes Borah. 

NFR also considers this project as a boon for improving the socio-economic activities of the region. The project is considered as a major step towards the Indian Government’s plan of linking all northeastern states with other parts of the country. 

By Veena Kurup

Mumbai, May, 07 (EPC News): Marg Karaikal, a major among the private ports in India, plans to develop a dedicated container terminal with state-of-the-art facilities.

“The terminal will be equipped with ship-to-shore quay cranes, rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTG) and other latest technologies to support the expected increase in container volumes,” informs MLN Acharyulu, Executive Director (Marine Infrastructure), Karikal Port Pvt Ltd. in an exclusive interview with Projects World.

The company however did not disclose any additional details on the terminal development plan. “The plan is still at a very nascent stage, even the bidding process has not been initiated,” said an official from KPPL. 

Karaikal which currently completed its third anniversary also plans to shed huge investments for increasing the capacity and capability of the port to handle diverse range of commodities. Commenting on the company’s future plans, Acharyulu says, “Our focus now will be on moving forward towards becoming the preferred alternative on the South East Coast of the country for maritime trade.”

The port which is currently concluding its Phase IIA developments also plans to make capacity additions from its planned 21MTPA to 28MTPA in the near future. The port developed by Chennai based Marg, has already received its third private equity infusion to partially fund its expansion plans. Private equity major, Jacob Ballas India shedding an investment of `200 crore (through primary and secondary investments) recently acquired a minority share in the port. The port also raised `150 crore from IDFC Project Equity and `200 crore from Ascent Capital. The funds raised will be used to accomplish the expansion plan aimed on increasing the port capacity. 

Opining on the government initiatives proposed for the betterment of the ports in India, Acharyulu expressed, “Without a supportive policy framework, the much-needed development initiatives cannot progress much further. However, there is still scope for further improvements in the existing policy framework regarding development of ports and other marine infrastructure projects.” He also highlighted the issues of project approvals and clearances as a major hurdle faced today by the Indian port segment. 

Reviewing the regulatory changes promoting PPP participation in the Indian port segment he further adds, “The policy of promoting PPP-based privatization has certainly attracted a lot of interest from private players over the recent past but due to various reasons, the actual execution on the ground has not lived upto the expectations.” He also upheld the need for an immediate refinement in tariff regulations and revenue share models, which can contribute immensely for the development of the country’s ports and port infrastructures. 

The port also marked a 26% growth in its cargo volumes reaching 6.01 million tonne in 2011-12 as compared to 4.75 million tonne handled during 2010-11. The port further expanded its cargo mix by adding number of new commodities including containers and liquid cargo. Karaikal Port being developed in over three phases is envisaged to have a total of nine berths, capable of handling up to 47 MMTPA by 2017. 

By Veena Kurup

Mumbai, May, 07 (EPC News): L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) ltd an arm of L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd, has chooses French Co Keolis SA as operation and maintenance contractor for Hyderabad Metro Rail project.

The company (L&T) has decided to involve Keolis during the formative stage of the Hyderabad project in order to take advantage of its expertise in metro rail operations and maintenance.

The project involves a financial outlay of about Rs16,375 crore, including Rs 6,000 crore for civil construction, Rs2,000 crore for development of about six million square ft of real estate, Rs1600 crore on rolling stock and Rs1,000 crore for signaling.

EPC News Bureau 

Mumbai, Apr 19 (EPC News): Leading private equity player KKR & Co is likely to invest nearly Rs250 crore ($50 million) in TVS Logistics Services Ltd. According to sources, the deal is expected to be announced in the next couple of days. 

TVS Logistics is looking to expand its operations to all sectors of the logistics business. The aim is to offer all services in the sector.  However, analyst says that, TVS Logistics will use this money to grow its business and for acquisitions.

EPC News Bureau

Mumbai, Feb 22 (EPC News): Essar Shipping has inducted the second minicape MV "Arun", a bulk carrier of 105,000 DWT in its fleet, says the company release.

The bulk carrier is the second vessel in in a series of six sisters that the Company will be adding to its fleet.

EPC News Bureau 

Mumbai, Apr, 13 (EPC News): The Central government has given a green signal to five Delhi Metro projects, linking Mukundpur with Yamuna Vihar and Janakpuri West with Noida Botanical Garden.

In addition, three existing routes will be extended: the Badarpur-Central Secretariat line up to Kashmere Gate, the HUDA City Centre-Jahangirpuri up to Badli and the Dwarka-Noida line up to Najafgarh.

"The government is keen to extend the coverage of Delhi Metro as its services are reliable, fast, pollution free and hassle free," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said adding that the under-construction Kirti Nagar-Ashok Park Metro section was likely to be completed in two months.

The 108 km Phase III of Delhi Metro, estimated to cost over Rs30,000 crore, will have 67 stations - 41 km underground and 67 km elevated.

EPC News Bureau  

Mumbai, Apr, 12 (EPC News): Continental Warehousing Corporation (Nhava Seva) Ltd, a logistics company of the NDR Group in Chennai has attracted investment from Warburg Pinus, Private equity.

The investment will also lead to exit of Aureos India Fund and ePlanet Ventures, who have been investor in the company since 2009.

The value of deal has not been disclosed either from the company or the investor. Continental Warehousing had raised $16 million from Aureos India Fund and ePlanet Ventures in 2009.

The NDR group will utilise this investment to fund its expansion plans and build its position as an end-to-end logistics solutions provider, said a group release.

NDR handles container and bulk cargo, and provides contract logistics services to a blue chip customer base across 50 locations, comprising over 10 million sqft of storage space in India.

EPC News Bureau

Mumbai, Mar, 18 (EPC News): The Commerce and transport department of government of Odisha has contracted ARSS Infrastructure to develop modern bus terminal at Baramunda, Bhuvaneshwar through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

The Bus Terminal area is spread across 14.43 acres with estimated project coast of Rs105 crores. The bus terminal will be completed in two years time, while the completion of commercial facilities would take five years.

The concession period including operation and maintenance period granted is 15 years to which 2 years construction period is added. The facilities at BTF includes air-conditioned waiting hall, retiring rooms for transporters, e-ticketing system, kiosks, food courts, cloak rooms, adequate boarding bays, alighting bays, idle parking bays etc. with complete landscaping all around the facilities.

The upfront license fees for the project is Rs56 crores, while the yearly license premium payable to the Orissa State Road Transport Corporation upto 15 yearsis 5% of upfront licence fees with 15% hike every third year.

EPC News Bureau