METROBERRY JULY 2019 | Page 8

NEWS : INFRASTRUCTURE Nitin Gadkari said. Gadkari’s ministry is actively scouting for ways to encourage private participation in the sector. “Now we have decided that we will tender smaller bundles of maybe one or two projects so that even small investors can participate. We will sell the project (to private players), but maintenance will be our responsibility,” Gadkari added. Improvement in logistics, infra to boost exports to $1 trillion in next 3 years The government's focus to improve logistics, ease of doing business and modern trade infrastructure will help exports to touch $1 trillion in the next three years, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Ganesh Kumar Gupta said India has huge potential to boost it's exports of goods and services from the current $535 billion. With steps like special focus on cutting logistics cost and time, further improvement in ease of doing business, proper implementation of government policies for exporters and timely refund of taxes will helps us touch $one trillion exports in the next three years NHAI to offer TOT projects in smaller bundles: Nitin Gadkari The government is planning to offer smaller bundles of road projects under the toll-operate- transfer (TOT) model as part of its asset monetisation plan in a bid to attract smaller investors, minister of road transport and highways PAGE 08 I METROBERRY I JULY 2019 Govt's stress on infra, EVs; 35,000 km of national highways to be built by 2022: President Ram Nath Kovind Terming infrastructure as pivotal in propelling prosperity and growth, President Ram Nath Kovind Thursday said the government's endeavour is to build 35,000 km of highways, besides expressways, by 2022 and to lay a strong foundation for urban infrastructure that will encourage employment generation. massive work to create infrastructure is underway, and electric vehicles (EVs) are being promoted to reduce pollution. "Under the 'Bharatmala Project', construction or upgradation of about 35,000 kilometres of national highways is to be undertaken by 2022. In addition, under the the 'Sagarmala Project', a network of good-quality roads is being constructed in coastal areas and areas adjoining ports," Along with the highways, the government is also working extensively in areas such as railways, airways and inland waterways. Under the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme, air connectivity to smaller towns is being expanded rapidly, "On this path of a New India, infrastructure for the 21st century will be built and all resources for creation of a powerful