State industry bodies bet big on key infrastructure projects

Preceding the global investors’ meet (GIM), industries are lining up to impress upon the same to the government. With industry bodies like Bangalore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCIC), Karnataka Association of Small Scale Insutries (Kassia) and Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Fkcci) on the infrastructure task force — set up by the government — for GIM, players find it to be the best opportunity to avail projects; as the State is keen on the public-private parnership (PPP) model of operating.

Projects in pipeline

According to government sources projects in the pipeline include — 36 traffic & transit management centres, 15,000 kilometres (KM) of road connection and 10,000 KM of toll road projects, eight minor and one major port development projects, and development of industrial areas across 1,60,000 acres of land. These projects are expected to take the chunk of projects worth Euro 500 million to Euro 1 billion (Rs 3,500 to Rs 7,000 crore), identified by the State for the potential investors.

While Fkcci and Kassia have left it to individual members, BCIC has been working as a body to get these projects.  Speaking to Deccan Herald, BCIC Secretary General Sampath Kumar said “we are interested to be part of some of the proposed infrastructure projects, as the government is keen on a PPP model.

One of our pet projects would be that of the Suvarna Karnataka Corridor.” BCIC already held talks with the Principal Secretary, Infrastructure Department, Government of Karnataka, V Madhu.

The government — having pledged to provide world class infrastructure — on the other hand, is vying for some foreign players to bring in some superior technology and also investment in to the State. BCIC, which has already initiated talks with the government has requested it to come up with a clear policy on infrastructure investment, besides proposing other suggestions for the global investors’ meet.