The Hindu Business Line : CII infrastructure summit at Bangalore

Highlighting the theme of Suminfra 2004, Mr Daljit Mirchandani said the meet would deliberate on the PPPs in relation to urban competence (infrastructure capability of port, roads and others) and real estate.

Bangalore , Aug. 26

WITH the Southern States emerging as economic powerhouses, it has become imperative for Karnataka to evolve a sustainable model for public-private partnerships (PPPs) for developing integrated infrastructure.

The need for a shared approach in putting in place infrastructure in both urban and rural areas has become an urgent need to improve the States' economic growth, said Mr Daljit Mirchandani, Vice-Chairman, CII Karnataka and Chairman and President, Ingersoll-Rand Ltd.

He said the private sector could offer its experience in best corporate governance practices for successful implementation of project and lend its experience in risk management, while the Government could extend its guarantee and direction for a stable policy for infrastructure projects.

Addressing a press conference to announce the second `Suminfra' (Summit on Infrastructure) to be held here on September 2 and September 3, Mr Mirchandani said it was imperative for society as a whole to realise the importance of infrastructure.

"The quicker it is in place, the better since the success of the Centre and States' development programmes depends on it, so is the competitiveness of India Inc," he said.

Highlighting the theme of Suminfra 2004, Mr Mirchandani said the meet would deliberate on the PPPs in relation to urban competence (infrastructure capability of port, roads and others) and real estate. Among the specific topics to be discussed are emerging trends and opportunities in infrastructure for private participation, experience with PPPs in infrastructure, project financing and risk management with focus on roads, ports and air connectivity.

The summit would discuss the corporatisation of the real-estate sector in India, opportunities in information technology, special economic zones and integrated township development.

Mr Mirchandani said the focus and responsibility of action was now on the States. Recalling the first Suminfra held last year in Chennai, Mr Mirchandani said some of the recommendations made at that summit would be reviewed for follow-up action.

He referred to the pending works of port connectivity related railway projects such as Mangalore-Hassan, Hubli-Ankola or Hospet-Guntakal providing connectivity to the new Mangalore and Tadri ports.

This would enable quick movement of ore for exports and movement of other commodities such as coal, granite and fertilisers.

Coinciding with the Suminfra 2004, two conferences would be held. One session will be on urban competence focusing on topics such as urban planning, processes, traffic management, public transport, water supply sanitation and sewerage and solid waste management.

The other event will be on `Estate South 2004', which will focus on emerging trends in the southern real estate sector and with an emphasis on land policy in India, effective planning in sub-urban areas, effectiveness of Urban Land Ceiling Act, national housing policy and real estate mutual fund and environmental issues.

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