India will have to address financial constraints, implementation and quality in infrastructure projects for growth, according to Mr Ajit Singh, Singapore's Consul-General in Chennai.

Infrastructure financing has to be facilitated by the Government for greater private sector participation. While reports indicate that commercial lending is the largest option, banks are reluctant to fund infrastructure projects. But the Government can unlock funds for infrastructure along the lines adopted in Singapore, where the Government ‘mitigates through credit enhancement.'

The implementation bottleneck is a major issue with delays in the bidding process, approvals, especially at the Central level, and slow dispute settlement. The gestation period for infrastructure projects needs to be brought down, he said.

Excellence in infrastructure is also a concern with global standards being set in a few projects only, he said, addressing InfraVision 2011, a seminar on infrastructure organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Friday. Singapore companies were keen on participating in infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu with leading players such as Ascendas, SembCorp, PSA and Changi Airport looking at infrastructure projects.

Developers have evinced keen interest in the proposed ‘Japan Mega City' planned near Chennai, he said.

Mr Atulya Misra, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust, said connectivity to ports, particularly rail connectivity, was a major gap that should be addressed. Just about 7 per cent of Chennai port's cargo had rail access. The Railways was “yet to discover public-private partnership,” he said.

PPP has supported growth in ports' capacity across the country. In the coming years, the non-major ports were set to play a major role in cargo handling. However, in ports too, issues such as housekeeping for efficient operations and expediting document processing needs to be addressed, he said.

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