Odisha stresses on PPP projects

Invites proposals from govt departments and agencies

In its efforts to meet the investment target of Rs  5000 crore in public infrastructure through public private partnerships (PPPs) for the12th Plan period (2012-17), the state planning & coordination department has invited proposals from government departments and agencies.

The PPP projects would be taken up in socio-economic sectors like agriculture, water supply, health care, education, municipal services, warehousing, roads and power transmission.Apart from other initiatives, the state government has floated Odisha Infrastructure Project Development Fund (OIPDF) and Odisha Viability Gap Fund.

OIDF is meant for undertaking different technical/financial pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, engaging transaction advisors, preparation of reports and bid documents and any other preparatory activities that need to be undertaken prior to offering proposed infrastructure projects for private sector participation.

The Odisha Viability Gap Fund is aimed at providing financial support to the projects for enhancing project viability.

“The provisions have been made in the Budget of planning & coordination department and the competent authority for recommending expenditure from the same is the empowered committee on infrastructure chaired by the chief secretary. Different departments are hereby requested to take advantage of the provisions and avail support from the same for their PPP projects and initiatives as per requirement”, Pradeep Kumar Jena, special secretary, planning &coordination department wrote to secretaries of departments.

Recently, the World Bank offered to provide technical assistance and intellectual inputs for strengthening the PPP cell of the state government.

The state PPP cell headed by special secretary (planning &coordination), oversees implementation of PPP projects spread across sectors like information technology (IT), real estate, ports,railways and tourism.

Major PPP projects under various stages of implementation are Infovalley Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Paradip-Haridaspur rail link, Shamuka tourism project, non-major ports at Chudamani and Kirtania and a housing cum commercial complex at Patrapada on the city’s outskirts.