CCI Paved Way for Rs. 6.6 L Crore Projects.

With a view to boosting infrastructure activity, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that the Cabinet Committee on Investments had cleared the way for 296 projects valued at Rs 6.6 lakh crore by the end of January 2014.

Tabling the Interim Budget for 2014-15 to cover expenditure till May when the government's term ends, he said infrastructure has been a priority area for his government. 'In 2012-13 and in the nine months of the current financial year, 29,350 MWcapacity, 3,928 kms of NHs and 39,144 kms of rural roads under PMGSY have been added.'

In addition to these, 3,343 km of new railway tracks were laid and and 217.5 million tonnes of capacity per annum was added in the ports sector.

Anshuman Magazine, CMD, CBRE South Asia, said, 'The FM made all the right pushes for infrastructure, manufacturing, and housing, thereby setting the framework for the next government's fiscal plan with emphasis on Public-Private Partnership mode.'

Ratul Puri, Chairman, Hindustan Powerprojects, said, 'With the award of 16,000 MWs of Coal-based power projects and announcement of four 500 MWs of solar projects, the government has taken right initiatives towards energy independence.'

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS