Bhopal, Apr 30: In view of the increasing traffic pressure on Bhopal, difficulties in smooth traffic due to absence of a ring road and increasing number of road mishaps due to traffic density, a 52-km four-lane Bhopal bypass road would be built. The bypass road would be constructed as per BOT method. The task of building this bypass road has been entrusted to Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation. It is estimated to cost Rs 231 crore and it has been approved under concession agreement of Union Planning Commission. For bypass road project, 152.793 hectare land is being acquired.

The new bypass road would start at 300/6 kilometre near Misrod up to 18/6 kilometre (State Highway-18) on Indore-Bhopal road after passing through 13/6 (NH-86) on Raisen road, 9/4 on Vidisha road and 324/4 (NH-12) on Narsingarh road.

Under the project, the existing 24.30 kilometre two-lane road would be converted into four-lane road while four-lane road would be laid afresh on rest of distance. Two railway over-bridges, 23 medium size bridges and 63 culverts would be constructed for laying the four-lane bypass road. Besides, a 2.5 kilometre service road would also be laid.

Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation had invited tenders for the new four-lane bypass after preparing proposal of the project. Applications were invited in two phases. As many as 41 companies had presented their proposals under the first phase out of which 36 companies were found eligible for submitting tenders after pre-qualification process undertaken by the corporation. Out of the 36 companies, twenty-eight have purchased tender documents within stipulated time which is a record of its own kind. It also offsets increasing interest and inclination of major companies toward development of infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh.

The Corporation has convened a pre meeting on May 5, 2008 with a view to brining about uniformity in the tender process. Last date of submitting tenders is May 26. The concession period of the project is 15 years including period of construction. Basis of the tenders would be demand of grant from the state government and premium payable to the government.

Toll rates

Distance-based toll rates would be implemented after construction of the bypass. As per road tax effective from September 1, 2007, 35 paise would be charged from car/jeep, 85 paise from light vehicles, Rs 1.75 from load as well as empty buses, Rs 2.11 from loaded trucks and Rs 4.21 toll tax would be charged from multi-axel truck trawler per vehicle per sortie. The toll rates would be increased as per wholesale index. Two toll-plazas would be constructed on the bypass road. The company constructing the bypass road would have to maintain it during entire concession period as per stipulated norms.

Fact file

Construction agency: MPRDC

Construction method: BOT

Total length: 52 kilometre

Kind of road: Four-lane

Auxiliary constructions: Two railway over-bridges, 23 medium bridges, 63 culverts, 2.5-km service road

Construction cost: Rs 231 crore

Concession period: 15 years

Acquired land: 152.793 hectare

Proposals received: 41 companies

Tender documents purchase: 28 companies.