Investors' meet may prove a springboard for B'luru infra

112 PPP projects in 8 sectors costing Rs 1 lakh crore up for grabs

The State government, it appears, is pinning hopes on Invest Karnataka–2016 – to give the much-needed boost to the infrastructure in the State capital and other prominent cities.

Of the 112 infrastructure projects identified as ‘PPP – Infrastructure Opportunities’ for attracting private investments at the meet, 22 are related to Bengaluru city and aimed at easing traffic congestion. They include Light Rail Transit System (LRTS), elevated corridors on six stretches of roads, multi-level car parking in four places and construction of pedestrian skywalks across 40 busy roads with two vertical lifts and pay-and-use public toilets at 250 locations.

The Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) has listed projects under eight sectors, including Industrial Infrastructure (IT park), Urban and Municipal Infrastructure and Transportation. The total cost of 112 PPP projects is estimated to be over Rs one lakh crore. The investors’ meet is scheduled to be held from February 3 to 5 in Bengaluru. Unlike industrial projects, the investors have to go through the bidding process to become eligible to implement PPP infrastructure projects.

The LRTS has been proposed to be implemented in two corridors – JP Nagar to Hebbal Outer Ring Road (31.3 km) and Vijayanagar Toll Gate to Magadi Road (10.6 km). The IDD has prepared a detailed project report and it is estimated to cost Rs 10,875 crore. The LRTS has been planned to supplement Namma Metro phase I and II.

Service components
A project has been proposed to implement Parking Management System on 56 select roads in the central business district, including MG Road and Commercial Street. The service components like parking meter to facilitate payment through smart cards, CCTVs, sensor-based technology to detect and monitor parking bays and check violations are included.

Development of 18 stretches of State highways, Shivamogga greenfield airport, development of airstrips in seven districts of Uttar Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Bagalkot, Udupi, Davangere, Raichur and Gadag (to operate aircrafts ranging from four-seater to 18-seater) are the other projects planned. The government recently cancelled the project development agreement for Shivamogga airport as the promoter failed to start the work. Construction of parking lots, development of commercial complexes and solid waste management projects in many cities and towns have also been proposed.

The government will be making a renewed attempt to attract investments for its proposed Devanahalli Business Park project at the investors’ meet. The government is planning the project on 408 acres located on the northern boundary of Kempegowda International Airport. The project was advertised in the investors’ meets held in 2012 and 2010.

N Chandrashekar, director of the PPP cell, said these projects will be showcased at the investors’ meet and investors can express interest in implementing them. However, they have to participate in the bidding process to become eligible, he added.