BHOPAL : Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and public works minister Rampal Singh want that every village of the state should be well-connected with quality roads and highways and other roads of the state should become a benchmark, said managing director of Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC) Manish Rastogi while talking to Free Press.
An IAS officer of 1994 batch, Rastogi is a computer science graduate and has served as collector of Bhopal, Shahdol, Narsinghpur and Satna. He has also served as a chairman and managing director of MP Eastern Electricity Distribution Company and Commissioner, Budget with government of Madhya Pradesh. He has also served as a director of Bharat Oman Refineries Limited
He shared many aspects of working of MPRDC with Free Press, including achievements, milestones, upcoming projects, mission, services and objectives.
What is the biggest achievement of the corporation?
The work of the corporation and the fame it has brought can be stated as a one of the biggest achievements of the corporation as well as of the state. The corporation is working in mission mode and all projects are executed in the stipulated timeframe, without compromising the quality.
Due to the exemplary working of the corporation, officials from other state are coming to study its work pattern and exchange notes with its officers. To date, officers from around a dozen states have visited the corporation’s HQ and its field offices.
First to launch e-tolling
In selected highways, the corporation has started e-tolling. The regular users of the road have been given e-tokens. Due to this they don’t have to stop at toll booths, thus saving both time and fuel. Vehicle having e-tag is identified by the scanner installed at the toll booth. When it reaches the toll booth the barrier opens automatically and the vehicles passes without stopping.
Very shortly the facilities will be expanded to all over the state.
Implementation of Accident response system (ARS) on PPP mode is probably the first in world. State-wide implementation of ARS will be the first in country. ARS will address safety requirements in the larger perspective.
Technical assistance through ADB for capacity building in road safety
Accident Response System & Traffic Management Centre in Madhya Pradesh, including operation and maintenance, for five years with an estimated cost of Rs 12.50 crore have been proposed. A Road Safety Cell is created in MPRDC. The MPRDC has engaged an agency for ARS on annuity basis. ARS includes centralised call centre, GIS based automatic vehicle tracking system (AVTS), computer aided dispatch system, traffic management centre
What are the upcoming projects of the corporation?
In future, the corporation will construct eight roads of 491.75 km with an estimated cost of Rs 3498.25 crore under national highway development projects. Ten state highway projects of 570.175 km length with an estimated cost of Rs 926.77 crore are in pipeline. Importantly, 35 railway overbridges and underbridges will be constructed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) with an estimated cost of Rs 1330.54 crore. Eleven infrastructure projects, including construction of medical college buildings at Shahdol, Vidisha and Ratlam, are also planned. Renovation and reconstruction of Madhya Pradesh Bhawan in New Delhi, renovation and reconstruction of laboratory building of state mining corporation is also being taken up.
Shramoday Vidhyalaya buildings in Bhopal, Indore Jabalpur and Gwalior are also considered. Besides, four ITIs building at Bhopal Jabalpur, Gwalior and Indore will also be taken up.
What is the mission of corporation and which services are provided by it?
The integral mission of MPRDC is to develop and maintain a safe, effective transportation system for goods, services and citizens and to enhance the development of industry and commerce in the rural pockets of the state.
Madhya Pradesh being a land-locked state, surface transport is the backbone of Industrial/Tourist/Socio-Economic development, we are poised to develop high quality road network and allied structures throughout the state.
Accelerate construction of the Road Infrastructure and provide all weather access to all major places. Continue increased commitment to maintenance with more emphasis on Private/Public participation. Return fiscal integrity to the budgetary allocations in order to meet maintenance and transportation needs. Continue improvement of work zone and workplace safety.
What are the objectives of the corporation?
To construct, reconstruct, erect, build, remodel, repair, reclaim, demolish, develop, improve, operate and maintain roads, highways, express highways, bridges, culverts embankment, sideways, subways, flyovers, tunnels, railroads, multi-modal transport systems and infrastructure, models and complexes in India.
To carry out all types of construction, architectural or other works under the built operate and transfer (BOT) scheme or under any other scheme to be formulated from time to time and for the assignment of state government.
To act as to nodal agency of the state government for executing roads and allied infrastructure projects or for objects as envisaged in above clause under public-private or joint venture basis or otherwise.
To prepare and develop strategic plans for the state road sector and identification and selection of projects based upon economic, social for technical and commercial criteria.
What are the strategic priorities of the government?
The Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation Limited is committed to contribute to the following strategic priorities and sector goals of government:
Infrastructure development
What goals have been set by the corporation?
To provide an integrated transport system that is safe, efficient, affordable, accessible to all and environmentally sustainable and to ensure provision of minimum and affordable basic needs to the rural population. The MPRDC policy objectives in line with government’s policy framework are: –
In partnership with the private sector continue construction, maintenance and up gradation of the national highways, state highways & major district road network, with emphasis on maintenance and upgrading.
To promote efficiency and safety through application of commercial and best practice principles and thus ensuring access to safe, reliable, affordable and cost effective services.
To improve efficiency in the provision of transportation services and infrastructure through corporatisation, commercialisation and outsourcing of maintenance and construction activities.
To ensure access to affordable transportation services, infrastructure and supporting public amenities for the public.
What is the policy of corporation?
Our focus is on achieving specific outcomes for reduction in vehicle operating costs and savings in travel time of road users. Improvement in safety, thus economic savings from avoided injury and damage. A country has to pay for its roads, whether it has them or not.
