Private sector to chip in 50 pc in infra projects

KOLKATA: The private sector is expected to generate 50 per cent of the funds for development of infrastructure during the 12th Five-Year Plan across the country, a top government official said here today.

"During the 12th Five-Year Plan, nearly 50 per cent of the estimated Rs 50 lakh crore required for the infrastructure sector is to come from the private sector," Sudhir Krishna, secretary, Union Urban Development Ministry, said.

In the previous plan period, private sector participation stood at 35 per cent of the total infrastructure investments, Krishna said at the Infra East summit organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Innovative and environmentally friendly projects for urban transport like cable car services could come under the purview of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Krishna said.

West Bengal urban development minister Firhad Hakim said for facilitating private sector participation in infrastructure financing in the state, a number of transaction advisors had been engaged.