Kamal Nath meets World Bank President
The Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Kamal Nath held discussions with the World Bank President, Mr. Robert B. Zoellick in New Delhi today. The meeting was to provide an opportunity for Mr. Zoellick to have a deeper understanding of India’s National Highway infrastructure needs and its challenges.
Among the issues discussed at the meeting included a proposal for seeking World Bank loan assistance for up-gradation of 6376 km of National Highways. The proposal envisages development of existing single / intermediate lane National Highways, which are not covered under any other development scheme, to two lane standards. Briefing the newspersons later, Shri Nath said the Government of India and the World Bank are keen to deepen their engagement for the development of National Highways in India. He also said that a World Bank team would be visiting India in January 2010 to identify the project in a more detailed manner.
Shri Nath said, the Bank is also willing to partner with NHAI in doing a review of PPP projects (BOT-Annuity and VGF based) and to identify projects amenable for utilizing bank lending support.
With the Government having set quantum jump targets for National Highway development, the need for enhanced cooperation in the area of capacity building and skill up gradation was acknowledged. Shri Nath said India would like to benefit from the vast International experience of the World Bank by way of inputs from technical, financial and legal experts for the identified mega highway projects of NHAI and also for the proposed Expressways.
The meeting was attended by Shri Brahm Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, senior World Bank and IFC officials and representatives of industry.
The Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Kamal Nath held discussions with the World Bank President, Mr. Robert B. Zoellick in New Delhi today. The meeting was to provide an opportunity for Mr. Zoellick to have a deeper understanding of India’s National Highway infrastructure needs and its challenges.
Among the issues discussed at the meeting included a proposal for seeking World Bank loan assistance for up-gradation of 6376 km of National Highways. The proposal envisages development of existing single / intermediate lane National Highways, which are not covered under any other development scheme, to two lane standards. Briefing the newspersons later, Shri Nath said the Government of India and the World Bank are keen to deepen their engagement for the development of National Highways in India. He also said that a World Bank team would be visiting India in January 2010 to identify the project in a more detailed manner.
Shri Nath said, the Bank is also willing to partner with NHAI in doing a review of PPP projects (BOT-Annuity and VGF based) and to identify projects amenable for utilizing bank lending support.
With the Government having set quantum jump targets for National Highway development, the need for enhanced cooperation in the area of capacity building and skill up gradation was acknowledged. Shri Nath said India would like to benefit from the vast International experience of the World Bank by way of inputs from technical, financial and legal experts for the identified mega highway projects of NHAI and also for the proposed Expressways.
The meeting was attended by Shri Brahm Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, senior World Bank and IFC officials and representatives of industry.
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