GMR Highways Commissions Two Projects well before time

Dec. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- New Delhi: 20th December, 2012: GMR Infrastructure Limited is delighted to inform the commencement of Commercial Operations of the Hyderabad – Vijayawada section of National Highway 9 and the Hungund – Hospet section of National Highway 13.  With the commencement of these two projects, the Group has now a portfolio of eight operating highways.  The two new projects are expected to generate revenue in the range of Rs. 75 to 80 lakhs per day for the former and Rs. 18 to 20 lakhs per day for the latter.

Project features and Benefits (Hyderabad – Vijayawada Highway)

The Hyderabad – Vijayawada project was awarded through an international competitive bidding by NHAI on a DBFOT basis with a concession period of 25 years including a construction period of 2.5 years.  The four laning of the 181.5 km stretch has been completed as per requirements and also opened for traffic.  

With the completion of four laning of Hyderabad – Vijayawada section of NH-9, the distance of 260 km will be covered in less than 5 hours compared to 6 to 8 hours prior to the construction. Six new bypasses are developed around the towns of Narketpally, Nakrekal, Kodad, Akupamula, Sher Mohammed Peta and Navabpet which aid in decongesting the towns.

Construction of the flyovers, Vehicular Underpasses, Pedestrian Underpasses at various locations and bypasses listed above not only provide faster connectivity but also enhances safety and fuel efficiency of vehicles significantly reducing accidents, travel time and vehicle operating costs.  Other facilities include service roads on urban stretches of Chittyala, Choutapal, and Suryapet, Truck lay byes, Bus bays with shelters and Rest areas for road users.  Also, 24 Hour ambulance and emergency support services are provided for road users.

The Project highway is part of the NH-9 connecting Mumbai/Pune in Maharashtra with Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh en-route connecting the two major economic hubs of Andhra Pradesh namely Vijayawada and Hyderabad which are witnessing multi-fold growth. It is also a vital facilitating east-west traffic movement connecting the two segments (Mumbai – Chennai and Chennai – Kolkata) of Golden Quadrilateral.

Thus the highway is expected to provide stimulus to the local pharma and cement industries apart from the local agricultural produce and poultry farms.  The corridor shall play a vital role in the economic development of the region.

Project features and Benefits (Hungund - Hospet Highway)

Apart from providing faster connectivity, the highway also enhances safety and fuel efficiency of vehicles. Facilities developed as part of the project include vehicular underpass, passenger underpass, Bus shelters and truck lay-bys. Other user facilities include 24 Hour ambulance and emergency support services.

The Project highway is part of the NH-13 connecting Sholapur in Maharashtra and Mangalore in Karnataka and provides connectivity between mineral rich and highly industrialized districts of Karnataka and rest of India thus carrying heavy commercial traffic. It also links the local industry with Mangalore and Karwar ports for export. Thus the highway is expected to provide stimulus to the local steel, fertilizer and chemical industries. This project will also boost the tourism to Hampi, Kishkindha, Bellary Fort, Badami etc.  The corridor shall play a vital role in the economic development of the region.

About GMR Infrastructure Limited: The Company is a Bangalore headquartered global infrastructure major with interests in Airports, Energy, Highways and Urban Infrastructure sectors. It has successfully employed the public-private partnership model to build a portfolio of high quality assets. The Company has 16 power generation assets of which 6 are operational and 10 are under various stages of implementation and 10 Road assets, of which 8 are operational and 2 are under construction. In the Airports sector, it has developed and commissioned the Greenfield International Airport at Hyderabad. The Company, besides operating the existing Delhi International Airport, has also built a brand new integrated terminal T3 which was commissioned in time for the Commonwealth Games in October 2010. It has upgraded and is operating the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.  GMR Group is also committed to social development initiatives and executes these through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation which is present in 22 locations.