Chennai bypass may be brought under TOT mode

‘Contractor has to ensure quality services to get back money’

The 32-km-long Chennai bypass connecting Irumbuliyur with Puzhal may be included in the list of roads up for monetisation under toll-operate-transfer (TOT) mode. Under this model, concessionaires are given the right to collect user fees for a prescribed period under NH fee rules and maintain the road. This will be the second road in the State under this mode, if taken up. Already the Madurai- Kanniyakumari NH has been given to a concessionaire under TOT. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), whose roads are being given under TOT mode, would get a fixed sum and it is up to the concessionaire to ensure he gets his investment back. Sources in NHAI explained that this was a relatively new concept and was being tried out to bring in bigger and better companies that have the wherewithal to maintain roads better. “In build-operate-transfer mode, the concessionaire has to invest the money, construct the road and has to take the risk of waiting for land or delay in construction.