Reliance Infra starts toll operations at Kandla-Mundra Highway in Gujarat

Reliance Infra’s 100% owned Special Purpose Vehicle KM Toll Road Private Limited is executing the project in Gujarat’s Kutch district at a cost of Rs.1128 crore. The 4/6 lane highway connecting Gandhidham (Kandla) to Mundra port section of NH-8A (Extension) has been delivered on the basis of Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer.

The 71 km-long Kandla - Mundra highway of Reliance Infrastructure Limited commenced tolling on November 7, 2015. With this, all the 11 highway toll projects of Reliance Infra, a Reliance Group Company, have started generating tolling revenue.

Reliance Infra’s 100% owned Special Purpose Vehicle KM Toll Road Private Limited is executing the project in Gujarat’s Kutch district at a cost of Rs.1128 crore. The 4/6 lane highway connecting Gandhidham (Kandla) to Mundra port section of NH-8A (Extension) has been delivered on the basis of Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT). The highway connects two high commercial traffic ports of Kandla and Mundra, and has a long concession period of 25 years. Mundra is one of the largest private ports in the country and has a major container handling facility with a CAGR growth of ~ 53% over the last four years.

With the widening of the corridor, the average speed of vehicles is expected to increase from 45 kms/hr. to about 70 kms/hr., thereby reducing the travel time by 40% to 50% and saving about 30% fuel cost. Reliance Infra has built slip roads to the towns of Anjar and Gundala in order to provide seamless connectivity in the region.

Commenting on the development, a spokesperson of Reliance Infra said, “At a time when Road Infrastructure sector is grappling with stalled projects, Reliance Infra has commenced tolling operation in all the 11 highway projects within a span of 6 years time. The Government’s agenda of Make-in-India need world class infrastructure and our highway portfolio is dedicated to that.

“The Kandla – Mundra highway will provide hassle free, safe and smooth driving experience. The corridor will not only connect two major ports of India and an industrial zone but will also provide connectivity to nearby important towns like Gandhidham, Anjar, Gundala and Bhujpur. The corridor is expected to carry about 9,000 vehicles per day which will increase substantially in the coming years. For the safety and comfort of commuters, the corridor will also have 24x7 patrolling cars, ambulance service and a medical center.”

Keeping the traffic density in mind, the 14-lane toll plaza is equipped with state-of-the-art Toll Management System (TMS). The TMS provides real time video surveillance and real time alerts to Central Control Room to facilitate close monitoring of the plaza. The facility of emergency response room will make it possible to quickly locate an accident site and provide prompt medical assistance. While two vehicles will patrol the entire corridor of 71 km 24 x 7, there will also be available 24x7 ambulance service to ensure safety and security of the commuters.