GEN. KHANDURI DEDICATES MORADABAD
BYPASS
TO THE NATION
The Union Minister of State for Road Transport
and Highways (Independent Charge), Maj. Gen. B. C. Khanduri, AVSM
(Retd.) has reiterated the commitment of the Government towards
drastic improvement of road infrastructure in the country. He
was speaking on the occasion of inauguration
of Phase II of the Moradabad Bypass, yesterday evening. "The
country can look forward to a golden era of road development with
pride, self-confidence and immense hope. In the field of development
of road infrastructure, rest assured, we are in the ‘fast forward’
mode", he said. The Bypass will end traffic congestion on
NH-24 within Moradabad city and reduce travel time between Delhi
and Lucknow.
Speaking on the occasion, Gen. Khanduri said
that innovative schemes are being devised to attract private investment
into the road sector. He informed that the National Highways Authority
of India (NHAI) has implemented the Moradabad Bypass Project through
an innovative financing mechanism by incorporating a Special Purpose
Company – Moradabad Toll Road Company Ltd. Based on the successful
experience on this Project, NHAI further decided to incorporate
twelve more Special Purpose Vehicles related to Ahmedabad-Vadodara
Expressway, Jaipur Bypass and ten port connectivity projects,
the Minister said.
The total cost of the Moradabad Bypass project
is Rs.103.50 crore, out of which Rs.31.05 crore is the Share Capital
and Rs.72.45 crore have been raised through long-term loans. NHAI
has contributed Rs.26.55 crore to the Share Capital whereas UP
State Bridge Corporation (UPSBC) has contributed the remaining
Rs.4.50 crore. For long-term loans, Infrastructure Development
Finance Co. (IDFC) has provided Rs.40 crore while a loan of Rs.32.45
crore has been raised from the State Bank of India. The 18.4 km
long Moradabad Bypass is a two-lane carriageway with 13 under
passes, 3 river bridges and 2 rail over bridges. It may be recalled
that the Phase I of Moradabad Bypass was opened to traffic last
year.
The Moradabad Bypass is fully access control
to ensure safety of traffic as well as to check entry of cattle
and slow moving traffic to the bypass. State of the art signages
and road furnitures have been installed. Retroreflectory signboards
with microprismatic technology have been provided. Thermoplastic
paint with glass beads has been used for pavement markings, which
will provide excellent guidance to the traffic during night.
Members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee
attached to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways graced
the occasion. Ms Anuradha Choudhary, Minister of Public Works
Department, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and senior NHAI officials were
also present on the occasion.
