Infrastructure

Use of technology, smart concepts paramount to meet needs of future cities: Amitabh Kant, CEO, DMIDC

In one of the most ambitious projects of its kind aimed at developing world class cities, the government is developing the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) using a 1,483 km long Dedicated Railway Freight Corridor (DRFC) as the back bone. At present the Delhi-Mumbai railway link is a common track for both passengers and cargo traffic. DRFC will be a dedicated cargo corridor. Along this corridor the government, in what will be in excess of $90 billion investment, will develop seven manufacturing, logistics-cum-residential townships. The whole project, that will take more than a decade to implement, intersects seven states—Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Amitabh Kant, CEO & MD, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC) in an interview with Shelley Singh, discusses the project.

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What is the status of the project?

Cisco, IBM and Accenture have been shortlisted by DMICDC to prepare a digital master plan for the planned cities over the next 3-4 months. Master plans for six cities have been completed (this details broad areas to be developed).

The three global technology majors will provide models for digital mapping that will integrating all governing activities. For example, how to manage power, water, transport from the central command unit. And if an accident happens — how will the command center get information on it and then alert ambulance, re-route traffic and so on. They will be come up with customized model to adapt to Indian realities. The model will be a pre requisite for the PPP developer to lay out.

How will the project be built?

About 60% of the project will be built on a PPP (public-private-participation) mode and the rest, non-PPP'able elements will be done by the state governments. These are areas like city sewage and drainage systems.
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-12-09/news/30498179_1_future-cities-global-cities-dmicdc

Iran and Russia’s Tatneft Sign $1 Billion Oilfield Accord

-- Russia’s OAO Tatneft signed a $1 billion accord with Iran to develop the Zagheh oil field in the Persian Gulf nation, where energy projects are being delayed as economic sanctions imposed by Western countries deepen.

A preliminary deal was signed in Tehran earlier today between Tatneft, which is based in Russia’s Tatarstan region, and Iran’s Petroleum and Engineering Development Co., the Iranian Oil Ministry said on its news website Shana today.

The Russian company is helping restart the dormant Zagheh field and seeking more local ventures as western companies curb their investment in Iran, the second-largest oil producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries after Saudi Arabia. Western countries have been increasing pressure on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

“If Iran is keen, Tatarstan is ready to increase cooperation in the oil and gas sectors,” Tatneft Chairman and Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said in the Shana report. “The scope and diversity of Iran’s gas and petrochemical projects is unbelievable.”

The agreement will be finalized by the end of the Iranian calendar year on March 19, and Iran wants further collaboration with Tatarstan, Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said, according to Shana.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-18/iran-and-russia-s-tatneft-sign-1-billion-oilfield-accord.html

Major African infrastructure programme agreed


The 18th African Union Summit saw African heads of state endorse a major, continent-wide infrastructure programme that will run through to 2040.

Described as a "multi-billion dollar" project, the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is a joint venture initiative between the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordination Agency.

The programme sets out short-term goals to be achieved by 2020, medium-term goals to be achieved by 2030, and longer term goals for 2040. It is based on projections that the GDP of African countries will multiply six-fold in the next 30 years, increasing the demand for infrastructure.

In the shorter term, PIDA will focus on its priority action plan - 51 regional and continental infrastructure projects designed to meet Africa' immediate needs. According to the AfDB, the short-term focus will be on improving transport infrastructure, including rail networks, ports, inland waterways and roads, as well as access to electricity and telecommunications.

The formal endorsement of PIDA will now be followed by more detailed planning on the actual implementation of projects.

Alex Rugamba, AfDB director for NEPAD, regional integration and trade, said PIDA's goals were ambitious but attainable.

"Some of benefits we foresee include a doubling of intra-African trade from the current levels of 11% to 12%. PIDA will also increase Africa's share of world trade by at least twice today's share of 2%. We also foresee the creation of up to 15 million new jobs from the construction, operation and http://www.khl.com/magazines/international-construction/detail/item70803/Major-African-infrastructure-programme-agreed/maintenance of PIDA projects."