Contract awarded for Zirakpur-Parwanoo Section of NH-22

New Delhi, Sep 1 (UNI) The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded a Rs 295 crore project to Jaiprakash&Associates Cconstruction group for 4/6-laning of Zirakpur-Parwanoo section of NH-22, including Pinjore-Kalka-Parwanoo Bypass, in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

The agreement was signed yesterday between NHAI and Jaiprakash&Associates in the presence of NHAI Chairman Jivtesh Singh Maini.

The project, awarded under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase III, will have a concession period of 20 years, including construction period of 30 months.

''The total project cost is Rs. 295 crores and the work has been awarded with positive grant (viability gap funding) of Rs. 117.00 crores,'' an NHAI official today said.

The project involves 4-laning of 28.690 km and 6-lane structures such as bridges, grade separators, flyovers and underpasses.

Out of this, 11.250 km are on new alignment for a combined bypass for very congested towns of Pinjore and Kalka in Haryana and Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh.

The project, once complete, will provide a great relief to road users going towards Solan and Shimla.

The Centre has approved upgrading and four-laning of 12,109 km of National Highways on BOT basis under NHDP Phase III at an estimated cost of Rs 80,626 crores.

Out of this, 30 Projects, costing Rs. 11,627 crores covering 1941 km, have already been awarded. Another 3000 km are proposed to be awarded during the current financial year. The remaining length will be awarded in a phased manner before March 2010.

UNI