10 MegaProjects in India

1. Bharat Mala Project: -

Bharatmala Priyojana is an umbrella program for the highways sector introduced by the Government of India which focuses on optimizing the efficiency of transportation and passenger movement throughout the country by developing critical infrastructure gaps via effective mediation like the development of Economic Corridors, Inter Corridors and Feeder Routes, National Corridor Efficiency Improvement, Border and International Connectivity Roads, Coastal and Port Connectivity Roads and Green-Field Expressways.

The announcement of this gigantic project was done by Central Road Transport and Highways Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, in the presence of PM Modi. The application of this pan-nation scheme to improve the road network was the idea of PM Modi. All key aspects of the scheme will be managed by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry of the country.

Highlights of Bharatmala Project: -  

• Improvement in the efficiency of existing corridors through the development of Multimodal Logistics Parks and elimination of choke point
• Enhance focus on improving connectivity in North East and leveraging synergies with Inland Waterways
• Emphasis on the use of technology & scientific planning for Project Preparation and Asset Monitoring
• Delegation of powers to expedite project delivery - Phase I to complete by 2022
• Improving connectivity in the North East

Key Features of this Scheme: -

• Improving the quality of roads - The launch of the scheme has been done to bring a new wave of development in the nation in the form of well-maintained and developed roads. Under this project, the construction of roads, in all parts of the nation will be undertaken.
• Total road construction - As per the draft of the scheme, the government and the ministry will strive to complete new roads, which will add up to a whopping 34, 800 kms.
• The Integrated scheme - The Bharatmala is the name that is given to the road development and it will include many other related schemes as well. With the completion of all the schemes, the overall success of the scheme will be guaranteed.
• Total tenure of the program -The central government has plans of finishing the scheme within a span of five years. Thus, all is set for finishing the first phase before the end of 2022.
• Segmentation in phases - Due to the sheer magnitude and spread of the scheme, it will be divided into seven distinct phases. As of now, the first phase in under construction.
• Constriction on a daily basis - To finish the first phase in time, the respective department has made efforts of constructing at least 18 km of the path on a daily basis. To beat the clock, continued efforts are being made to raise it to 30 km/day.
• Different categories of road construction - It has been highlighted in the official draft of the scheme that to provide better connectivity, the construction of various categories of roads will be undertaken.
• Multi-source of finding - One source will not be enough for funding a mammoth project. Thus, the government will have to depend on other sources for generating adequate money to meet the expenses.

Budget Allotted:- A total of around 24,800 kms are being considered in Phase I of Bharatmala. In addition, Bharatmal Priyojana phase -I also includes 10,000 kms of balance road works under NHDP, taking the total to 34,800 kms at an estimated cost of Rs.5,35,000 crore. Bharatmala Phase I - is to be implemented over a five years period of i.e. 2017-18 to 2021-22.

2. Chenab Railway Bridge Project: -

The world's highest railway bridge over Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir is said to be ready by 2021 and going to connect the valley with the rest of India by train for the first time by 2022. The bridge, which has a central span of 467 metres, is being built at a height of 359 metres from the bed level. The height of Qutab Minar in Delhi is 72 metres and that of the Eiffel Tower in Paris is 324 metres. "This is the tallest railway bridge in the world and the maximum designed wind speed for the bridge is 266 kmph," a senior government official said.

Highlights of Chenab Bridge: -

• The Chenab Bridge is an initiative of the Indian Railways to expand the single-lane bridge constructed in 1932 to a double lane bridge, to enhance connectivity in the strategic union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• To address the geographical adversities and complexities at the project site, Konkan Railways Corporation mandated the creation of a 3D model of the bridge design as per the recommendation of architects, planners and designers.
• To create a 3D model, the initial survey was conducted using drones and the design consultant chose Tekla Structures, a parametric modelling tool, for delivering the 3D model of the bridge design; STAAD was used to design and analyze the structural behaviour of bridge components.
• Bentley’s ContextCapture Solutions, along with MicroStation, was used for construction planning and monitoring and to ensure site inspections were carried out on time and safely.
• A reduction in construction inspection time by almost 80 per cent also led to savings of about US$ 100,000.

Project Cost: - Sitting on an extremely active seismic zone amid mountainous terrain, the Chenab bridge on the Katra-Banihal rail line is the world’s seventh-largest arch-shaped bridge. The 1,315 meters long bridge is currently being constructed at a cost of US$ 184 million.

3. Chennai Bangalore Industrial Corridor Project: -

The corridor between Chennai-Bengaluru-Chitradurga (around 560 Km) would have an influence area spread across the States of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The strategy to develop CBIC is part of the plan to achieve accelerated development, regional industry agglomeration in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and to facilitate the development of a well-planned and efficient industrial base by providing smooth access to the industrial production units, decreased transportation logistics costs along with an improved delivery time and reduction in inventory cost and ensure increased private investments in manufacturing and industrial activity in the three states.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Study Team undertook the Preliminary Study for Comprehensive Integrated Master Plan for Chennai- Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and a total of 25 priority projects across various sectors aimed at removing infrastructural bottlenecks were identified in their report. The following three nodes were taken up for Master Planning under JICA assistance:-

• Tumkur (Karnataka)

• Ponneri ( Tamil Nadu)

• Krishnapatnam ( Andhra Pradesh)

The report of master planning of the above 3 industrial nodes submitted by JICA has been accepted as final and State Governments have been directed to initiate the process of notification of the master plan of these nodes. It was also decided that on account of some more projects, the present list of identified 25 priority projects has been revised by adding some more projects.

Project Cost: - The Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor, envisaging upgrading infrastructure for industrial growth, will involve an investment of over ₹12,000 crores including land acquisition, according to the policy note on Highways and Minor Ports tabled in the Assembly.

4. Setu Bharatam Project: -

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today launched “Setu Bharatam” – an ambitious programme with an investment of Rs. 50,000 crore to build bridges for safe and seamless travel on National Highways. The programme aims at making all national highways Railway Level Crossing free by 2019.208 new “road over bridges/road under bridges” are envisaged for construction, while 1500 bridges will be widened, rehabilitated or replaced.

5. Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor Project: -

• The first High-Speed Rail corridor to be implemented in the country, with the technical and financial assistance of the Government of Japan, has been identified from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. With a total of twelve stations in the States of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the corridor will have a length of 508.17 Km. Where high-speed rail will cover 155.76 kms in the state of Maharashtra (7.04 Kms in Mumbai sub-urban, 39.66 kms in Thane district & 109.06 kms in Palghar district), 4.3 kms in the union territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and 348.04 kms in the state of Gujarat.
• High-speed rail will cover a total of 12 stations namely Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, (in Maharashtra), Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati (in Gujarat). Where a limited-stop (in Surat & Vadodara) service will cover this distance in 1 hr. and 58 mins and all stops service will take 2 hr. 57 min to cover this distance.
• High-speed rail will be operating at a speed of 320 Km/hr at an elevated (10 to 15 m) track above the ground on a viaduct all along except 26 kms in Mumbai, which will be underground. All stations will be elevated except Bandra Kurla Complex station (Mumbai), which will be underground.

Table: MAHSR Operation Plan

(Source: Feasibility Study Report)

Budget: - The Indian Railways' ambition to develop a high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is estimated to cost Rs.63,000 crore.

6. Sagar Mala Project: -

• As part of the Sagarmala Programme, more than 574 projects (Cost: Rs. 6.01 Lacs Cr.) have been identified for implementation, during 2015-2035, across the areas of port modernization & new port development, port connectivity enhancement, port-linked industrialization and coastal community development. As of 30-September-2019, a total of 121 projects (cost: Rs. 30,228 Cr) have been completed and 201 projects (cost: Rs.309, 048 Cr.) are under implementation.
• Under Sagarmala, a total of Rs. 1,821 Cr has been sanctioned and Rs. 1,102 Cr has already been released for the development and implementation of 93 projects for a total project cost of Rs 5,528 Cr. The projects include various infrastructure projects, coastal berth projects, fishery harbours and skill development projects. These projects are being implemented by relevant Central Ministries, State Governments, Ports and other agencies. These include unique and innovative projects like Gogha-Dahej RO-Pax Ferry Services Project and RO-RO Services Project at Mandwa. In addition, TEFR is under preparation for the development of an underwater viewing gallery and restaurant at Beyt Dwarka Island and the consultant has been selected for preparing DPR for the National Maritime Heritage Centre proposed at Lothal.

7. Dholera Solar Park Project: -

• The solar park is a part of the government’s plan for establishing India’s first world-class greenfield Dholera smart city. Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has been developing the project through a public-private partnership (PPP). Dholera solar park will be located at a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) type 1B land within the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), situated along the Gulf of Khambhat region, Gujarat.
• Till March 2020, Bhadla Solar park was the largest solar park in India, with a capacity of 2245 MW, followed by Pavagada Solar park, with a capacity of 2050 MW. After completion, Dholera solar park will be the largest solar park project, with a capacity of 5000 MW.
• According to a Gujarat state government release issued earlier this year, “The proposed solar park will attract investment of ₹250 billion and provide employment opportunities to more than 20,000 individuals.”
• Out of the total 1,000 MW capacity at Dholera Solar Park, 300 MW has already been auctioned. The first 1GW-phase is being developed with an investment of Rs. 5 bn by GPCL, while the second 4GW-phase will be developed by SECI with an estimated investment of Rs. 20 bn.
• The renewable arm of Tata Power, Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. (TPREL), has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (GUVNL) for a 250 MW grid-connected solar project to be set up at the Dholera Solar Park in Gujarat. Later in Nov 2019, 50 MW was added to this as an award.
• The energy will be supplied to GUVNL under a Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), valid for a period of 25 years from the scheduled commercial operation date. The Company has won this capacity in a bid announced by GUVNL in June 2019. The project has to be commissioned within 15 months from the date of execution of the PPA. In March 2020, GUVNL retendered for the remaining capacity of 700 MW at the solar park.
• The solar park has been divided into 11 blocks with 27 plots in each block. Each plot will have 100MW, 160MW and 200MW capacity blocks. Upon completion, the Dholera Solar Park will cover an area of more than 27,000 acres, and it will be home to 5 GW of solar power projects.

8. Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project: -

Japan Plus Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)

Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)

The DMIC project was launched in pursuance of an MOU signed between the Government of India and the Government of Japan in December 2006. DMIC Development Corporation (DMICDC) incorporated in 2008, is the implementing agency for the project. DMICDC has been registered as a company with 49% equity of the Government of India, 26% equity of the JBIC and the remaining held by government financial institutions. The Japanese Government had also announced financial support for the DMIC project to an extent of US$ 4.5 billion in the first phase for the projects with Japanese participation involving cutting edge technology.

• The project spans the States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) of the railways. Initially, 8 nodes/cities in the six DMIC states have been taken up for development.

• SPVs have been constituted in Five DMIC projects.

• Four DMIC projects are ready to be launched. The details of the projects are given below:
   

  • Ahmedabad-Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat

  • Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Park in Maharashtra

  • Integrated Industrial Township Project in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

  • Integrated Industrial Township Project in Vikram Udyogpuri in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

• The land has been transferred to the SPVs by the concerned State Governments. Matching equity by DMIC trust has been released to the SPVs.

• Master Planning, Environment Clearance and legal framework, authorizing power to SPVs have been completed.

• Work on Trunk Infrastructure packages which include Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), Administrative Business Centre (ABC), Water Treatment Plant (WTP), Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and Roads and Services are ready to commence after finalization of tenders which have already been floated.

9. Char Dham Highway Project: -

The Ministry has taken up a separate programme for connectivity Improvement for Char-Dham (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri & Gangothri) in Uttarakhand. Out of a total of 53 civil works covering the entire length of 889 km under the Chardham project, 40 civil works of total project cost amounting to Rs. 9474 crore (including the cost of pre-construction works amounting to Rs. 491 cr.) in a  length of 673 km have been sanctioned. 34 works in a length of 604 km amounting to Rs. 7923 cr. have been awarded out of which 30 works amounting to Rs. 7679 cr. in the length of 589 km are ongoing and 78 km length has been completed till March 2019 and 2 works amounting to Rs. 141 cr. in a length of 1.1 km have completed. In the remaining 2 works, the appointed date is yet to be given. 

10. Ganga  Expressway Project: -

For Omni-directional development of Uttar Pradesh, construction of fully access-controlled Ganga Expressway is proposed starting from  N.H. 334, in district Meerut and ending in district Prayagraj.

• The Ending point of the project:- At Prayagraj bye pass of (N.H.-2) in district Prayagraj.
• Length of project:- 594 KM approx.
• Districts benefited from the project:- Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahar, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rai Bareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj.
• Width of the expressway – This expressway will be of 06 lanes (expandable up to 08 lanes) and all the structures will be constructed of 08 lane width. The width of ROW (Right of Way) of the expressway is proposed as 120M, service road of 3.75 M width will be constructed at one side of the expressway in the staggered form so that residents of nearby villages of the project area may get smooth transportation facility. The first phase of the six-lane expressway (expandable to eight lanes) would cover approximately 555 villages of central and western Uttar Pradesh, which is a hub of agricultural and industrial activity. The UPEIDA, the nodal agency for the project, has estimated Rs 23,436.88 crore as construction cost. With land acquisition costing another Rs 10,000 crore, the overall project cost has been pegged at Rs 39,298 crore.

Content & Image Sources: National Portal of India, GW Prime, DIPP Govt., Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHSRCL, SagarMala, Dholerasir, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority, Daily Pioneer