Transport / Road transport (non-urban)

The principal objectives of the proposed Project are: (i) to reduce the capacity constraints of the NH systems through upgrading selected sections of the E-W Corridors in Gujarat State; (ii) Operationalise the public-private partnership (PPP) concept through direct or indirect assistance to NHAI in its development, operations and maintenance (O&M) of selected NH systems; and (iii) advance the institutional reforms of NHAI through facilitating its conversion into a lean and efficient highway management corporation with stronger financing capability.

The proposed Project would consist of the following three groups of components: (1) Investment component to rehabilitate and widen four highway sections totalling 470 km. O&M of these sections would be concessioned to the private sector; (2) PPP investment component for the BOT development of the section between Jetpur and Bamanbore. Under this component, a BOT contractor would rehabilitate and widen two sections of 36 km and be accorded the operational right of existing sections of 53 km (sweetner"); and (3) Institutional reform component designed to facilitate NHAI's transformation into a loan and efficient highway management corporation equipped with sophisticated financing techniques and stronger financial management capability.