To overcome difficulty in rolling out wayside amenities (WSA) along the expressways and highways, State-run Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is going for outsourcing the said task. The Corporation plans to entrusted the responsibility to Project Support Unit (PSU) tasked with handling the setting-up of wayside amenities, plus related activities for benefit of travellers. Even after 3 years of opening the Samruddhi E-Way, MSRDC has not been able to channelise any concrete action to develop wayside amenities. The lack of it complicates the problems on the 700 km long E-Way, leaving the travellers in limbo. While unveiling the project, State leaders had made tall claims, but till date not a single amenity, barring few fuel stations, have set their shop. Sometimes back, an attempt to auction the prime land along side the E-Way could not complete the home run, as differences arose over the pricing model. So the plan was dropped hastily and now through the PSU, a sort of consultant, the Corporation is hoping to complete the job on hand.

 

The agency would help with planning, ensure through development, structuring of the project, procurement of materials, and implementation along side providing operational support for WSA. Also the private agency is also going to advise with Financial, Technical and Transaction Advisory services to MSRDC while handling the WSA project. The thinking in MSRDC is that the consultant would ensure timely and efficient project delivery, weigh financial viability, adhere to regulatory compliance while rolling out WSA. As part of engagement, under Planning & Strategic Advisory category the Corporation expects the agency to work on formulation of WSA policies and guidelines, plus bench marking of amenities on greenfield expressways. Also they would advise on site-wise development strategy and phasing plan, advisory on permissible and prohibited activities. About Land Development & Master Planning, the PSU would ensure WSA sites are selected after due diligence, have proper access, earmarked utilities are present. They would also handle planning of parking, amenities, utilities, EV infrastructure, drainage along with landscaping.

 

Also, they have to estimate the cost of development of land and that of infrastructure. Under Technical Advisory category, they would carry out technical feasibility assessment of sites, prescribe engineering standards, specifications and design review. And importantly listing technical risks and mitigation measures thereon for MSRDC. Similarly in Financial Advisory, the PSU has to carry out Traffic-based demand assessment, work out financial modelling by determining rent, base rate, revenue share. In Transaction Advisory & Bid Process Management the agency would have to structure delivery model, prepare RFP and draft agreements plus handle bid process management, evaluation and award support.

 

They would also have to monitor daily and monthly fuel and non-fuel sales, verify sales data through POS/ATG systems and operator records, identify variations, short-reporting, or revenue leakage. MSRDC expects PSU to handle every aspect of the WSA, like timely review and monitoring of facilities, attending to travellers complaints, liasoning with licensees, keep tab on the monthly sales, generated revenue and submitting compliance reports. They also have to Assist in Utility Corridor by providing technical, regulatory, and commercial support to the authority for permitting, co-ordination, supervision, and monetisation of utilities (such as pipelines, electrical and OFC lines, etc.) within the project Right of Way.