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The Government’s renewed thrust on development of road infrastructure, an important component of the National Common Minimum Progarmme (NCMP), has opened new investment opportunities in India’s highway sector. This has attracted Indian as well as foreign companies to the nation’s ongoing highway development programme.
In this context, a delegation from Italy held wide-ranging discussions with officials of Department of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, here today. Sh. Dhanendra Kumar, Secrerary, Department of Road Transport and Highways led the Indian side.
Addressing the visiting delegation, Sh. Dhanendra Kumar said that this is the most opportune time to invest in India’s highway development programme. The National Highways Development Project I and II are being implemented at an investment of US $ 15 Billion, he informed, while adding that the Government is envisaging an investment of US $ 40 Billion on development of National Highways in India in the next seven years. Sh. Kumar called upon the delegates to have a close look at the infrastructure investment opportunities in India and then come forward with concrete proposals that would be mutually beneficial to both countries. Sharing the emerging opportunities with the delegates, Sh. Kumar said that Italian and other foreign firms can consider entering the road development sector in India as consultants, contractors, investors/concessionaires and as manufacturers of construction related equipment. An Italian firm, M/s Sauti is already working as Supervision Consultants on Kanchipuram-Poonamalee section of NH-4, which is a project under the Golden Quadrilateral (NHDP PhaseI).
The Italian delegation comprised Ms. Emilio Maraini, Councellor for International Affairs, Ministry of Infrastructures and Transports, Govt. of Italy, Mr. Antonio Monaco from M/s Todini S. p. A. which is an international company engaged in construction of roads, railways, airports and waterworks, Mr. Sebastiano Otero from M/s Torno S. p. A., a company with expertise in all areas of civil engineering, Mr. Claudio Gatti from M/s ANAS, a company that manages roads and highways of the Italian State, and representatives from other Italian companies in infrastructure sector.
NSD/BS
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