India, Kenya to explore coop in road sector

New Delhi, Sept 7: Greatly impressed by India's tremendous strides in the roads and highways contruction, Kenya today sought New Delhi's cooperation in its infrastructure development and assured that it would welcome the participation of Indian companies in this regard.

Kenyan Minister of Roads and Public Works Department Simeon Nyachae, who called on Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu here, specifically mentioned that his country would like to emulate the impressive highways and bridges India had built in the recent past as well as well the institutions developed for this purpose.

The two sides discussed exploring areas of technical cooperation in the road sector, a ministry official said.

The Kenyan Minister applauded the economic progress India had made in the recent times, particularly in the infrastructure sector in building high quality roads, bridges and flyovers.

He also shared his pleasant experience of visiting NH-2 up to Agra and the construction of Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway on NH-8, which he described as ''excellent''.

Mr Baalu briefed the visiting minister about the progress made by India in the road and shipping sectors and also about the introduction of public-private partnership in these sectors.

He told the Kenyan delegation that India was in a position to assist the African country in various infrastructural and public works projects like roads, ports, railways, airports, power generation and IT.

Mr Baalu informed his Kenyan counterpart that several Indian companies operating in the road sector had resources and technical know-how, which could be of benefit to Kenya in the development of its road network.

UNI