Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jul 2: After the ambitious programme of the government to develop different roads in the state under Public Private Partnership (PPP) hit initial roadblocks, the government seems to have bent to the pressure tactics employed by the contractors. It has decided to acquire lands required for the development of these roads on its own.

The state government had decided to develop 10,000 kms of road in the state under private participation.  It floated tenders for the same in February this year. None of the companies came forward to file tenders under the scheme. Several big companies that had shown interest in the scheme said that they would invest in the road development, only if the government acquires and hands over the requisite land to them. As such, the government was faced with the prospect of the PPP becoming a non-starter.

A total of 51 packages had been put up for tenders for being developed under the PPP scheme, but none of the 40 companies that evinced interest in the scheme filed tenders, sources in Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd revealed. The companies put forth the question as to who would foot the land acquisition costs. As no company came forward till June 30, the last date for applying for tenders under the scheme, KRDCL, through a proposal to the state government, had requested it to acquire land for the development of roads on its own.