Bharatmala project gets PIB nod

The Public Investment Board (PIB) has given its approval for the ambitious Rs 10 trillion Bharatmala project, involving the development of around 51,000 km of road length comprising economic corridors, coastal roads and expressways, to be implemented in phases. In the first phase, around 29,000 km has been planned for development, at an estimated cost of Rs 5.5 trillion. The project will now be put before the cabinet for clearance. The Bharatmala project aims to replace the National Highways Development Programme. Most of the project will be implemented on an engineering, procurement and construction basis while giving the National Highways Authority of India full autonomy, irrespective of the project cost. However, in some cases, projects will be implemented on a public-private partnership basis, after obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Meanhwile, a DPR prepared by global consultancy firm AT Kearney has identified 44 economic corridors for development including Mumbai-Cochin-Kanyakumari, Bengaluru-Mangaluru, Hyderabad-Panaji and Sambalpur-Ranchi. These economic corridors are expected to open up India’s hinterland for development.