The concerned authority should intervene to create State Support Agreement in resolving problems in land acquisition, problems in environment clearances, says Yogesh Joshi, Sr. Vice President – Technical, Patel Infrastructure Ltd.

How is the construction of roads and highways progressing in 2021? What needs to be done to ensure timely deliveries?

The construction of roads and highways almost came to a standstill due to Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown and the worksites only started opening from October and November onwards. From December (2020) and January onwards, the work has begun in full swing. The availability of the workforce, which was rejuvenated, helped in achieving targets within the stipulated period. The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Union Budget speech has promised a golden era for the infrastructure sector and 2021 will be the first in the chain of programmes planned for the next 10 years.

What kind of steps need to be taken to ensure the road and construction sector remains mobilized throughout the year?

The infrastructure development contractors should develop the facility for the settlement of workers, operators, drivers and technicians including engineers so that they remain present throughout the year/project contract period. Further, all necessary facilities should be available on-site, more so, because many times the project sites are located in a remote and sparsely populated area. They also should consider providing incentives for the early completion of the project. If these steps are taken by infrastructure development contractors then it will lead to timely completion of projects.

What kind of policy changes would you like to see in the construction and infrastructure sector?

As mentioned earlier, from 2021 onwards, the next 10 years will be a golden period for the construction and infrastructure sector. Last year too the government allocated the requisite amount of money for development of roads, highways and associated infrastructure, however, owing to Covid-19 a slowdown was experienced. Having said that we are now witnessing a return to normalcy. We wish that the Central Government steps in and creates a single-window clearance for various clearances required for mining, quarrying, building Road Over Bridges (ROB) etc. 

The hydrological and land survey records which are a part and parcel of the projects should also be a part of these clearances. The government should also intervene to create a State level Support Agreement to boost the Build–operate–transfer (BOT), Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT), Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) projects etc. In these projects, contractors are also becoming financiers for the projects.

When it comes to the changes in the procurement and tendering processes for roads and highways, are any changes desired?

The procurement and tendering process for the infrastructure development project is continuous and perennial. This needs frequent addition and alteration of the conditions for tendering and procurement of infrastructure contractors. We reiterate that authority (Normally it is Central Government/Semi-Government Organizations) should intervene to create State Support Agreement in resolving problems in land acquisition, problems in environment clearances including forest clearances, ease of policy for borrowing raw construction materials form all states.