Symposium-Exhibition enabled industry collaborations between Indian-global manufacturers
More than 200 projects at a cost of Rs.1.25 lakh crore have been identified in coming five years under the National Ropeways Development Programme, “Parvatmala Pariyojana”, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has told an international exhibition.
Addressing ‘Ropeway: Symposium-Cum-Exhibition’ in New Delhi on 23 Jan, he said “Our foremost priority should be to make ropeways economically viable by bringing down the overall project cost and encourage Public Private Partnership to develop the ropeway network in the country.”
Apart from facilitating tourism in the hilly areas, the ropeway offers huge potential in the urban public transport as well.
Focus should be on developing indigenous and cost-efficient solutions without compromising safety, said the Minister, pointing out that Ropeways hold immense potential to positively impact tourism and job creation in the country.
He called for time-bound, Cost-Efficient, Qualitative and Sustainable infrastructure development in the country.
He also informed that priority is to bring standardization of existing policies & codes and transform the Ropeway industry by encouraging the manufacturing of Ropeway Components under the “Make in India” initiative.
He highlighted the 60% Construction Support provided under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM for Ropeways) as compared to 40% support provided under National Highways to attract more private players for development of ropeways under Parvatmala Pariyojana.
MoRTH Secretary Anurag Jain added, “Development of infrastructure directly correlates to improved quality of life for the citizens.
“The Government has taken various initiatives that have not only streamlined working within the Government departments but has also enhanced ‘Ease of doing Business’ in the country.
“This is the right time to invest in India as for foreseeable future India will remain one of the fastest growing major economies in the world.”
NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav also shared details about development of various flagship projects under Bharatmala Pariyojana and highlighted the multiplier effect it will have on the Indian economy.
The objective of the ‘Symposium-cum-Exhibition’ was to enable industry collaborations between various Indian and global manufacturers, technology providers, concessionaires and infrastructure developers.
The event also provided a common platform for industry deliberation to promote ‘Make in India’ and develop a roadmap for localization of ropeway components. Various panel discussions with industry experts were also held on building safer & affordable ropeway systems while improving ropeway industry landscape and enhancing Public Private Partnerships in India.
The highlights of the day were the Award of two ropeway projects viz. Bijli Mahadev Ropeway Project in Himachal Pradesh and Dhosi Hill Ropeway project in Haryana.
The day long ‘Symposium-cum-Exhibition’ provided key insights and helped to identify areas for development of policies that will go a long way to promote indigenous manufacturing and enhance capacity & capability of ropeway technology.
The symposium also underlined the pivotal role ropeways will play in the growth of Indian economy by enabling development of safer, cost-effective & sustainable mode of transportation under the National Ropeways Development Program. Fiinews.com
