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INFRASTRUCTURE

COVID-19 Perils and Opportunities

According to Neeraj Sanghi, CEO, Highway

Concessions One Private Ltd, once we are
able to go through the current tough times,
we could expect a turn-around for the road
infrastructure sector in the coming years.

n 2019-20, traffic growth remained
low to even negative in some cases.
As the concessionaires were looking
for a better 2020-21, they are stuck
Iby COVID–19 right at the beginning of
2020-21. The traffic continues to be around
60% of normal traffic even after a month
of restart of operations from April 20. Also,
there is some worry about the stability of this
traffic because much of the present traffic
could be in the nature of (a) movement of
migrant workers across districts or states and
(b) filling the pent up demand pipeline for
various goods. Therefore, the worry is that
even when lockdown is fully lifted traffic,
may reach say 80%-90% and not 100%
because demand would have reduced in long
term and Work From Home may extend in
medium term. Other major concern has been
the availability of adequate tolling manpower
at toll plazas. It was unclear as to whether
concessionaire could recruit manpower
replacing the unavailable manpower. Also,
toll collector and lane attendants are at front
line of dealing with the risk of Corona. While
concessionaires are taking all precautions, if
any of them unfortunately catch the virus, it
is very likely that a whole shift or even whole
toll plaza may be asked to quarantine.

38 April-May 2020 / TrafficInfraTech www.trafficinfratech-com-500653.hostingersite.com