The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd. (KRDCL) was incorporated in 1999 as a wholly owned Government of Karnataka Company under PWP&IWTD as per the provisions of the Company Act, 1956. “The mission of the KRDCL is to provide an effective transport system by developing safe road network,” said its Managing Director, KS Krishna Reddy.
When asked to spell out the objectives of the KRDCL, Krishna Reddy said there were many objectives. “One of the main objectives was to create better infrastructure for economic development and also to diversify and enter into other infrastructure development sectors,” Krishna Reddy said.
Another objective was to construct quality bridges and roads. “By constructing roads and bridges, flyovers and underpasses with durable technically safe and sound designs is our objective. Also the upgradation of existing roads and bridges comes under our preview,” Krishna Reddy said.
Krishna Reddy also said that since roads are essential for the development of any city, it was imperative to ensure that the roads were well maintained. ‘We have to ensure that the roads were in good condition. “The proper maintainence of roads is one of our key roles,” he said.
As regards generating the income for road development, KS Krishna Reddy said that apart from the budgetary provisions, the KRDCL gets loans from financial institutions. ‘We get loans from fianancial institutions like the HUDCO, World Bank and Nabard for our projects,” he added. .
Toll collection was another source of funding. “I must say that the toll collection is another major way in which we manage to generate funds. Then there is also the grant in aid from the government. as is also the revenue from deposit contribution works,” Krishna Reddy said.
When asked to name some of the important works executed by the KRDCL, Krishna Reddy said the State Highway Maintenance for a total length of 7327 km in different parts of the state was the job of the KRDCL. ‘This work was undertaken from 2001 to 2004 in the first phase and it came to Rs 225 crore. The second stage was undertaken for distance of 14500km and it was done from 2005 to 2008 incurring a cost of Rs 525 crores.
Besides this, EPC projects were also undertaken by the KRDCL. “This include 37 road projects which consisted of 968 km and at an estimated cost of Rs 1571 crore. There are also PPP annuity projects which are three projects of 131km ,” Krishna Reddy said.
As regards construction of bridges, Krishna Reddy said that a total of 642 briges have beencompleted. “These bridges have been completed under Phase bridge 1, 2, 3 and 4 at an estimated cost of Rs 648 crore,” he said. Apart from this 16 major bridges were constructed in various parts of the state.
When asked which projects were in the pipeline, Krisha Reddy said one of the major project in the pipeline there were many projects. “One of the major projects which we intend to do is the improvement of 281km length to four projects at an estimated cost of Rs 701 crores. This workd will be under the PPP- DBFOT-VGF (Toll) and the tender process is currently in progress,” Krishna Reddy said.
As regards construction of bridges, Krishna Reddy said that a total of 642 briges have beencompleted. “These bridges have been completed under Phase bridge 1, 2, 3 and 4 at an estimated cost of Rs 648 crore,” he said. Apart from this 16 major bridges were constructed in various parts of the state.