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23-August-2024-Special-Article
August 23 @ 7:00 am - 11:30 pm
BHARATMALA PARIYOJANA
Bharatmala Pariyojana is a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, aimed at enhancing India’s road infrastructure.
Launched to improve road connectivity across the country, this program focuses on developing economic corridors, border roads, coastal roads, and expressways.
About Bharatmala Pariyojana:
- Umbrella Program: Bharatmala Pariyojana is an overarching program under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, integrating multiple road infrastructure projects.
- Launch and Timeline: The first phase of the program was announced in 2017, with an initial deadline of 2022. However, due to slow implementation and financial challenges, the completion date has been extended to 2027-28.
- Integration with PM Gati-Shakti Plan: Bharatmala, along with Sagarmala and other infrastructure projects, is part of the PM Gati-Shakti Plan, aimed at improving connectivity and logistics efficiency across India.
- Focus Areas: While Bharatmala primarily targets road connectivity, the Sagarmala project focuses on modernizing ports and promoting coastal shipping to enhance trade.
Key Features of Bharatmala Pariyojana:
- Economic Corridors: The program aims to develop approximately 26,000 km of economic corridors, enhancing the efficiency of existing infrastructure and integrating multi-modal transport systems.
- Inter-State Connectivity: Around 8,000 km of interstate corridors and 7,500 km of feeder routes are identified to improve the effectiveness of these corridors, ensuring seamless first mile and last-mile connectivity.
- Border and International Roads: Improved border infrastructure facilitates better maneuverability and boosts trade with neighboring countries.
- Coastal and Port Connectivity: The program includes roads connecting ports to boost economic development in coastal areas, fostering both tourism and industrial growth.
- Greenfield Expressways: New expressways with high traffic configurations are planned to alleviate choke points and improve traffic flow.
Funding Mechanism:
- The project is financed through various channels, including the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), budgetary support, monetization of national highways, private sector investments, and Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR).
Current Status (As of March 2024):
- Phase-I Progress: Contracts for constructing 26,425 km of roads have been awarded, with 17,411 km completed. The total expenditure stands at Rs 4.59 lakh crore.
- Geographical Coverage: The project spans 34,800 km across 31 states and Union Territories, covering over 550 districts.
Similar Road Infrastructure Initiatives:
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Launched in 2001, this scheme aims to connect unconnected rural habitations, improving rural infrastructure and accessibility.
- National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP): A comprehensive initiative to develop world-class infrastructure across sectors like energy, roads, urban development, and railways, with significant investments in greenfield and brownfield projects.
- Golden Quadrilateral Project: A network of highways connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, forming a quadrilateral that facilitates trade and transportation. This project was part of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) and is one of the largest highway projects in India.
New Contracting Models and Asset Monetization:
- Innovative Contracting Models: Apart from traditional methods like Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT), newer models such as the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), Toll, Operate, and Transfer (TOT), and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InVITs) have emerged, providing more flexibility and financial viability.
Significance of Road Infrastructure in India’s Development:
- Economic Growth: Road infrastructure is crucial for India’s economic development, contributing over 3.6% to the GDP. It supports more than 85% of passenger traffic and 65% of freight movement, reducing transportation costs and improving market access.
- Rural Development: Rural roads, especially under PMGSY, connect remote areas with essential services, empowering marginalized communities and enhancing their quality of life.
- Tourism and Cultural Exchange: Well-developed Road networks facilitate tourism, driving economic growth and cultural exchange by providing better access to scenic and heritage sites.
- National Security: Robust road infrastructure is vital for defence logistics and border security, ensuring swift troop movements and emergency responses.
Challenges Related to Road Infrastructure Development:
- Environmental Impact: Road construction often leads to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and increased pollution. It also contributes to habitat fragmentation and climate change, emphasizing the need for sustainable infrastructure practices.
- Social Issues: Road projects can displace communities, particularly in rural areas, leading to inadequate resettlement and increased poverty. Poorly designed roads also contribute to high accident rates, with over 150,000 fatalities reported in India in 2021.
- Economic Concerns: Many road projects suffer from cost overruns and delays. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has reported instances where project costs exceeded budgets by over 40%, highlighting the need for better financial management and maintenance frameworks.
- Governance Issues: Corruption and lack of comprehensive planning often lead to substandard infrastructure. There’s a need for integrated transport planning and transparent bidding processes to ensure high-quality execution.
Way Forward:
- Strategic Procurement: Securing raw materials at competitive rates and negotiating favourable terms with suppliers can help reduce costs.
- Land Acquisition: Streamlining land acquisition processes through transparent practices and exploring alternatives like land pooling can minimize disputes and delays.
- Stable Tax Policies: Collaborating with government authorities to address the impacts of tax changes on the industry, particularly concerning the Goods and Services Tax (GST), is essential for the smooth execution of infrastructure projects.
