TN Vision 2023: Consultants’ panel to assist, advise govt

According to an official, the panel would assist various government departments and agencies in executing infrastructure projects and provide advisory assistance to the board.

“The panel would have four consultants to provide assistance in four sectors — transport, social infrastructure, water and sanitation, and commercial infrastructure. The consultants, who have broad knowledge and experience in their respective sectors, would be empanelled,” the official said.

It is learnt that the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board had invited eligible private consultants through Tamil Nadu Urban InfrastructureFinancial Services Limited that is the nodal agency in the State to appoint consultants and managing foreign funds.

The panel would assist projects that include both the projects that are executed through the public sector as well as those implemented through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

The official explained that the consultants in the panel would prepare feasibility reports for projects apart from conducting impact assessment studies, risk assessment studies and environmental assessment studies. The panel would also assist the implementing agencies in the bidding process.

It may be noted that the government had set up Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development for faster identification and clearance of major projects with a view to implement the projects under ‘Tamil Nadu Vision 2023’.

Under the Vision, the government has prioritised projects such as roads, bridges, multi-level car parking, affordable housing, development of satellite towns, industrial estates, desalination plants, dams, solid waste management and sewage treatment system.

“We have floated a tender inviting the consultancies related to all the four sectors and the bids would be opened during the first week of March. Eligible consultants would be appointed after the completion of the tender and evaluation process,” the official said.