NHAI to develop ₹4,613 crore Agra-Gwalior greenfield expressway on BOT mode

To enhance connectivity between the tourism hubs of Agra and Gwalior, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will develop 88 km long 6-lane access-controlled Agra-Gwalior Greenfield Expressway (NH-719D). NHAI on Wednesday signed a concession agreement for the implementation of project with G.R. Infraprojects Ltd in presence of NHAI Chairman, Santosh Kumar Yadav and senior officials of NHAI and the Concessionaire.

The Agra-Gwalior Greenfield Expressway will start from Deori Village in Agra and terminate at Susera Village in Gwalior. The project shall be developed at a total capital cost of ₹4,613 crore (including LA cost) on the Build Operate Transfer (Toll) Mode.

The concession period of the contract is 20 years, including construction period of 30 months. The authority will provide construction support of ₹820 crore to the concessionaire during the construction period, which will be linked to the project progress. Overlay, strengthening, road safety and improvement measures for the existing National Highway on NH-44 have also been included in the Agra-Gwalior project agreement.

The project has been awarded at quoted @17.170 % premium in the form of revenue shares of the realisable fee against expected premium @2.42%. The premium shall be payable from the second year post project completion, which will be increased by 1% of the realisable free every years in subsequent years for the remaining concession period.

The greenfield access-controlled expressway will traverse through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. It will not only provide high-speed connectivity between Agra and Gwalior but also will help to decongest various cities and industrial areas on the existing Agra-Gwalior Section of NH-44. The expressway will cut travel time, reduce carbon footprint and enhance logistics efficiency of commercial and freight movement between Agra, Dholpur, Morena and Gwalior.

The greenfield expressway will feature eight major bridges, 23 minor bridges, six flyovers, one Rail-Over-Bridge and 192 culverts. The project will also pass through the National Chambal wildlife century. As part of wildlife mitigation measures, a cable-stayed bridge on river Chambal has been planned for the conservation of ‘Gadiyal’ in the river waters. Apart from this, other Wildlife mitigation measures such as sound barriers and light cutters will also be provided on the bridge.

The Government of India has been encouraging Public Private Partnership for Build-Operate-Transfer (Toll) projects. Recently, NHAI signed a concession agreement to develop 121 km long Guwahati Ring Road on Build Operate Transfer (Toll) Mode. Robust Public Private Partnership in the road sector will contribute towards the development as well as Operations and Maintenance of the world class National Highway Network in the country.