Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has set strict deadlines for a number of rail projects in the country in a bid to fast track India’s infrastructure investment plans.
In a review meeting, Dr Singh discussed the Mumbai elevated rail corridor projects with the Ministry of Railways and directed the ministry to sign the state support agreement with the government of Maharashtra.
The ministry said that bids for the elevated rail project will be invited before the rail budget in 2013.
On the Madhepura/Marhowra public private partnership (PPP) locomotive factories, the railway ministry has informed that the bids will be called by December 31, 2012, and the project will be awarded before the railway budget.
The Inter Ministerial Group (IMG), set up under the cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) approval, will consider and approve any necessary changes to documents and has set a deadline of December 15 for Marhowra project.
It was decided in the meeting that the Rail Tariff Authority (RTA) will be set up by January, 2013 as IMG will finalise recommendations on the RTA by December 31, 2012.
Reviewing the Dedicated Freight Corridor project, the railway ministry will submit revised estimates with details on source of funding for project by December 15, 2012 and it will also provide milestones with timelines for Sonnagar-Dankuni project.
Apart from railway projects, India’s PM has also reviewed roads, highways and shipping projects.
