PPP-Appraisal Committee clears projects worth Rs 7,595 crore

NEW DELHI: The Public-Private Partnership Appraisal Committee has cleared five road projects worth Rs 7,595.19 crore.

The road projects include 4-laning of Ambala-Kaithal section of NH-65 as well as the Ambala bypass, and Kazhakkuttam to Mukkola section in Kerala, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

These projects fall under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

PPPAC is chaired by Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram.

In addition, an Empowered Committee (EC) chaired by Mayaram approved Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to the tune of Rs 1,280.65 for different road projects.

The EC gave in-principal approval to two projects each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh governments for VGF worth Rs 695.20 crore, and the final nod to two projects from Uttar Pradesh for VGF of Rs 585.45 crore.

Since its being set up in January 2006, the PPPAC has approved 272 central sector projects worth Rs 2,96,579.6 crore, the ministry said.

"In this year, till date, a total of 19 projects with total cost of Rs 43,903.3 crore have been approved by the PPPAC," the ministry said.

These include NHs (223 proposals), ports (32 proposals), airports (2 proposals), tourism infrastructure (1 proposal), housing (8 proposals) and sports stadia (5 proposals).