?Toll collections can go up to Rs 2 lakh cr?

Nitin Gadkari, minister for road transport and highways, said in Mumbai that toll collections of NHAI could go up to R2 lakh crore in 15 years, as the ministry gears up for speedy implementation of road projects. “NHAI has a toll income of R6,000 crore annually, which can be increased to R2 lakh crore in 15 years,” he said, speaking on the sidelines of Motilal Oswal Global Investor Conference, according to a statement from the domestic brokerage. He reiterated that the ministry of road transport and shipping plans to start projects worth R2 lakh crore in two months. In July, Gadkari had said that a detailed project report will soon be ready for these projects after which steps would be taken for forest and environment clearance and land acquisition. He added that the ministry of road transport and shipping will contribute at least 2% to GDP growth in two years. Gadkari said the ministry plans to appoint project management consultants for all infrastructure projects. “We are looking at toll securitization to get funds for infrastructure development. We now plan to have an EPC model instead of PPP model for infra projects,” he added. fe Bureau