UK, Singapore firms express interest in Monorail, SRIP

Emerging Kerala investors’ meet has brought hope to two major projects presented by the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB).

During the meeting, the UK, Singapore firms had expressed interest in the Rs 5,100-crore State Road Improvement Project (SRIP) and Rs 1,750-crore Kozhikode Monorail project.

According to the KRFB officials, a delegation led by the British High Commission showed interest in giving technical support to the SRIP and Kozhikode monorail project. KRFB is the implementing agency of both SRIP and Kozhikode monorail.

“One of the top construction firms in the UK, Balfour Beatty, too has expressed interest in the projects,” said KRFB chief operating officer P C Harikesh. In addition to UK firms, Singapore-based private firms too held discussions with the KRFB officials.

“Both these firms and office of the UK High Commission are expected to send proposals to the government,” Harikesh said.

SRIP is planned in PPPannuity mode while the monorail will be in Design- Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) mode. The 1,204- km road development will be implemented as rehabilitation package and upgradation package.

551 km existing road will be improved under the rehabilitation package while the 653-km upgradation package will involve widening of carriageway. The KRFB officials were trying for ADB loan for the project.

“First phase of the SRIP will be done under the rehabilitation package which does not require land acquisition. ADB loan is being sought mainly for the upgradation package, which requires around Rs 3,500 crore,” he said.

Meanwhile, the KRFB has called for consultants to prepare the Detailed ProjectReport (DRP) for the rehabilitation package of the SRIP.

The SRIP requires Rs 1,100 crore for land acquisition and Rs 4,000 crore for road works, making the total cost to Rs 5,100 crore.

The feasibility study and preparation of DPR has been completed for the 14-kmKozhikode monorail project.