Introduction
On entire world scenario the urban areas are becoming centres of economic
growth. Because of the rapid growth and urbanization, there has been
an increased pressure on the urban infrastructure facilities. Keeping
this in view the Government of Rajasthan (GoR) has with the loan assistance
from Asian Development Bank (ADB), taken up Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure
Development Project (RUIDP) to provide integrated quality infrastructural
facilities in six divisional headquarters of the State. The GoR has
formed RUIDP and entrusted the works of the infrastructure development
in the six cities to RUIDP.
This integrated urban development project, under which assistance is
being given to the six cities namely Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur,
Kota and Udaipur of state of Rajasthan; helps meet basic human needs
by developing urban services for water supply and sanitation, solid
waste and waste water management, and slum and environmental improvements.
The project also supports street improvement and traffic management,
Heritage conservation, Strengthening of Fire Fighting services Solid
Waste Management, Strengthening of Medical services and strengthens
other civic services required to improve the quality and safety of urban
life. The project provides assistance towards capacity building and
community participation at the state and local levels to support the
effective devolution of urban management, taking into account the importance
of good governance. In addition, assistance for Project implementation
is provided.
Project Area
Under RUIDP, the six divisional headquarters - Ajmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur,
Udaipur and Kota have been identified for focused investment in important
infrastructure sectors. The population of the six project cities is 52.93
lakhs as per the 2001 census which is likely to go up to 77 lakhs by 2011.
The six cities are the administrative, industrial, commercial nerve centre
of the state besides being important tourist centre. From cultural and
historical point of view also, these cities hold significant importance.
Fact File
Name of the Project: Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project
(RUIDP) Funding Agency: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Date of Commencement:
18th January 2000 Cost of Project
*Due to fluctuation of exchange rates between Indian Rupees and US
Dollars the gross amount also varies.
Loan and Grant
Asian Development Bank gives loan to the Govt. of India at London Inter
Banking Offer Rate (LIBOR) which is flexible and presently about 4%
per annum.
70% of the total amount is given to the Govt. of Rajasthan at 9% rate
of interest (changeable) and remaining 30% of the amount is given as
grant to the State Govt. by the Govt. of India. Thus effectively the
amount is available to the Govt. of Rajasthan at about 5.50% rate of
interest.
Repayment of Loan: 25 years which includes relaxation of 5 years
.
Project Objectives
The objective of the project is to optimize social and economic development
benefits in urban Rajasthan. This will be achieved through policy reforms
to strengthen urban management and support for priority investments
in urban infrastructure and services required to meet basic human needs,
improve quality of life, and stimulate sustainable economic development.
The assistance is directed at the cities with the greatest development
potential to:
" readdress immediate infrastructure and service deficiencies as
well as meet future demands for fulfillment of basic human needs;
" act as a vehicle through which the policy reforms can progress
and be effectively executed, and
" have the maximum demonstration effect for replication in other
cities in Rajasthan and in other states.
Loan and Grant: Asian Development Bank gives loan to the Govt.
of India at 60 paisa higher on London Inter Banking Offer Rate (LIBOR)
which is flexible. 70% of the total amount is given to the Govt. of
Rajasthan at 9% rate of interest (changeable) and remaining 30% of the
amount is given as grant to the State Govt. by the Govt. of India. Thus
effectively the amount is available to the Govt. of Rajasthan at about
5.90% rate of interest.
Repayment of Loan: 25 years which includes relaxation of 5 years
(repayment of loan start from the financial year on which the money
is borrowed and is repayment period is next 20 years).
Special Features of the Project
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Designs, estimates and contracting
An elaborate system of reviews and checks has been established under
the RUIDP to ensure efficient, economic and technically perfect engineering
designs. These designs and estimates are prepared by the Design and
Supervision Consultants and reviewed by the Project Management Consultants,
PIUs and PMU to ensure that the best techno-economic engineering designs
based on the latest standards and technologies are adopted. In order
to attract only the best contractors with proven track record of achieving
highest standards of quality and timeliness. Approximately 300 contractors
have been pre-qualified for the LCB (Local Competitive Bidding) works
in accordance with ADB procedures. A similar procedure shall be adopted
for ICB (International Competitive Bidding) works, soon to be identified
in the project. The process of bidding is conducted in an absolutely
open, clean & transparent manner followed by evaluations and approvals
based on fair and objective criteria in the shortest possible time.
Bids are issued to pre-qualified contractors, pre-bid conferences are
held to respond to any queries or concerns of the bidders, bids are
opened in public and contracts are awarded to the lowest evaluated substantive
responsive bidder.
Peoples Participation in Project
Public participation and coordination is important in various works
under the project especially for improvement of slums, utilization of
sewer lines, solid waste management, and reduction of non revenue water,
proper maintenance of assets created in project, cleanliness of places
of historical importance and their conservation. People's participation
is ensured by involving NGOs and CBOs in all phases of the project cycle
starting from identification of works, implementation and monitoring.
At the same time, full cooperation and support of various public representatives
and State and Central Government departments (e.g. PHED, PWD, IRRIGATION,
JDA, UITs, Dist. administration, FOREST Dept. etc.) has always helped
in smooth implementation of activities of the project.
Digital maps and GIS
For the first time in the state, Digital base maps for all project towns
have been prepared using satellite imageries and specially commissioned
aerial photography. Existing as well as proposed infrastructure and
utilities are being marked on these maps for developing GIS layers e.g.
roads, water supply reservoirs & pipe lines, treatment plants and
pumping stations, sewer lines, drains, locations of fire fighting &
solid waste management services. Preparation of engineering designs
and operation and maintenance of assets in the areas of water supply,
sewerage, roads, drainage etc. have been greatly facilitated using these
maps and GIS.
The computer and AutoCAD Map-2005 software has been provided to the
MCs / UITs of project cities and JDA, ESTI, PHED & Irrigation Department
to facilitate them to make efficient use of these maps for their planning
& capacity building. With the availability of these maps we are
now in the process of developing GIS for the urban infrastructure for
Water Supply Treatment Plants& Pump Houses; Service Reservoirs;
Water Supply Pipelines; Transmission P/L; Distribution P/L; Service
P/L; Tube wells/ Hand pumps/ PSPs; Sewer lines, Manholes and Treatment
Plants; Drains; Solid Waste Mgmt Systems; Fire Fighting Systems and
Roads, Bridges & Transport System in the project cities.
Beside this Government of Rajasthan has recently initiated "State
Urban Agenda for Rajasthan (SUARAJ)" for providing improved service
deliveries and better quality of life in urban areas with the intention
to move beyond urban development and management and addressing the broader
concept of Urban Governance. Under SUARAJ, Rajasthan Urban Spatial Data
Centre (RUSD-C) has been set up at Town Planning Department in association
with RUIDFCO, IT Department & RUIDP. The GIS maps and data developed
for six project cities under RUIDP are being transferred to RUSD-C for
its use in planning and developmental activities. Funding for further
development of GIS activities under RUSD-C, SUARAJ has allocated fund
of Rs. 65 Lacs. Ministry of Urban Development, GOI has also allocated
funds for setting up Spatial Data Centres linked to urban services under
National Urban Information System (NUIS) which will be routed through
Town & Country Planning Organization (TCPO).
Use of latest technology
Modern technologies and computer design software are used in project
design, implementation and monitoring. These are also made available
to various engineering departments of the State Govt. and Local Bodies.
Various training programs are conducted by RUIDP for its in-house staff
and staff of other departments.
Construction Management Systems (CMS)
Workshops:
To strengthen the working capacity at the work sites, these workshops
are being organized at regular intervals by RUIDP. In these workshops
experience on quality control and quality commitment are shared including
how to save time on works. Advises received during these sessions from
Experts of line departments and RUIDP officials are taken care of and
adopted by RUIDP for better implementation of the works. RUIDP has received
benefit of these workshops in the form of Quality, Timeliness and Economy.
Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction(JFPR)
Subprojects Under RUIDP
1.General
RUIDP has received grant of US$1.90 million (approx.Rs.8.5 Crore) under
Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR), for Rain Water Harvesting and
Slum Development in three cities- Jaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner. The JFPR
is a grant program provided by the Government of Japan to the beneficiaries
in Rajasthan through ADB vide No. JFPR: IND 9021. Consent of the State
Govt. was conveyed to DEA GOI vide letter dated 11.9.2003 and duly signed
Letter of Agreement dated 24.9.2003 by Secretary UDD GOR was sent to
DEA ADB vide letter dated 27.9.2003.
The main objectives are to improve sanitary conditions through better
collection and disposal of liquid and solid wastes, providing adequate
safe drinking water to the poor, enhancing water conservation, and personal
and community hygiene through public participation and awareness; and
empowering local poor and slum communities through planning, implementing,
and operating the new facilities.
Establishment:
2.1 Project Implementation Unit
After approval by State Govt. a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) has
been established vide letter dated 18.6.2004 under RUIDP which is responsible
for day to day implementation of JFPR, including evaluation of proposal
from NGOs/CBOs and payment of works. PIU has also established separate
JFPR Project Bank Account from which all payments will be issued by
PIU directly to participating NGOs. All procedures for procurement,
monitoring and accounting will follow ADB's guidelines.
2.2 Steering Committee and Project Evaluation Committee
To screen, examine and recommend to Steering Committee of JFPR for approval
of proposals received from NGOs/ CBOs a Project Evaluation Committee
(PEC) has been constituted under Chairmanship of Project Officer JFPR-PIU.
To approve proposals recommended by PEC a Steering Committee (SC) has
been constituted under Chairmanship of Project Director RUIDP. Constitution
of committee was approved by Secretary UDD on 23.0-6.2005. DSF (E-III)
FD GOR, CEOs MC Bikaner/Jaipur/Jodhpur and representative of ADB are
also members of this committee.
2.3 Appointment of Facilitator Firm & External Auditor
To assist JFPR PIU in implementation of the project, screening of the
proposals, to assess the need of beneficiaries, M/s Good India has been
engaged as a Facilitator Firm as per decision of Steering Committee
meeting dated 11.7.2005. The total agreed remuneration of facilitator
firm for 12months is Rs. 16.66 Lacs.
For external auditing of JFPR accounts and making project financial
statements, M/s Ashish G. Gupta & Company has been engaged as an
External Auditor Firm. The expenditure incurred on this shall be borne
under administrative head of JFPR.
The expenditure incurred on above shall be borne under administrative
head of JFPR.
3. Present Status
3.1 Notice seeking Request for Proposal for works under JFPR
was issued in Nov 2004. Proposals have been received from various NGOs
for infrastructure development works (mainly micro drainage, sanitation
and rain water harvesting), income generating awareness activities and
capacity building activities. Thirteen proposals for Jaipur, Jodhpur
and Bikaner out of various proposals received from NGOs have been approved
by the Steering Committee for JFPR and have been concurred by ADB vide
letter dated 23.12.2005 & 05.04.2006 . Total estimated cost of these
thirteen proposals is Rs 61691741. Out of which JFPR contribution is
Rs. 39448154,. Till date Letter of Acceptance to 13 NGOs / Agencies
have been issued. Contract Agreement with seven NGOs has been signed
and rest are under process. Different development activities like construction
of pucca streets & drains, individual toilets, community sewerage
system, piped water supply in missing pockets, formation of SHGs, community
awareness activities, rain water harvesting etc. have been proposed
in above packages in various slums like Rampura Basti, Banglanagar Kutchi
Basti & Panchmukha Hanumanji Kacchi Basti, Pratap Basti, Subhashpura
slum of Bikaner, Baiji ki Kothi, Indira Gandhi Kachi Basti, Guru Teg
Bahadur Kachi Basti, Shiv Nagar Kachi Basti, Azad Nagar Extensión,
Matdata Nagar & Amritpuri, Basbadanpura, Nagtalai, Goverdhanpuri
& Opposite Idgah & ITPI Building of Jaipur and Haddi Mill &
Prithvipura slums of Jodhpur so far.
3.2 A Computer Education Program (Gen-Gyan) in schools situated
in the slums; keeping in mind the limitations of the semi urban setup
of the slums has also been taken up under JFPR. Along with education/skill
up gradation; the program will help to develop civic sense, personal
& community hygiene and promote water conservation through public
participation and awareness. It would be a unique Public-Private-Partnership
(PPP) venture wherein all hardware and infrastructure will be provided
by private/public sector companies/funding agencies. The total cost
of the project is Rs 1,80,03,200 of which Rs 50, 03,200 will be financed
by JFPR. The O&M of the buses for the first year shall be provided
by JFPR and thereafter the projects will be financed through funding
from charity organization/ multilateral agencies and large corporate
houses as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) or as
decided at the competent level.. Genpact has provided 1.27 crores under
their corporate social responsibility, pro bono for the five buses fitted
with computers & teaching aids. Two organizations (RajCOMP&
IIRM) have been engaged to implement this project. All the five buses
along with computer infrastructure are ready and in possession with
RUIDP. The Contract Agreement has signed with RajComp ,IIRM & education
deptt. of Govt of Rajasthan. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has lauched
this innovative Project.
3.3 For Audio-Visual Documentation of the works to be undertaken
in JFPR focusing on slum improvement initiatives, a proposal has been
sanctioned for an amount of Rs 0.95 lacs which would be for 20minutes
documentary film shot in three stages i.e. pre-intervention stage, intervention
stage & after completion of works, for each project city. The expenditure
incurred on account shall be borne through administrative head of JFPR
PIU. The pre- intervention stage is almost completed in Jaipur &
Bikaner. The task shall be taken in Jodhpur as soon as the N.T.P is
issued for Jodhpur
Emergency Medical Services:-
This Sector was included in the project from the savings in the project
for which approval from DEA & ADB has been received. In this sector
various works like construction of Satellite Hospital at Ajmer, Expansion
and Rehabilitation of Zanana Hospital, Mahila Chikitsalaya, Sir Padam
Path Mother and Child Health Institute, SMS Hospital and TB & Chest
Hospital at Jaipur, up-gradation for Medical College, Construction of
main hospital building and Construction of Satellite Hospital &
up gradation of various dispensaries at Kota, Satellite Hospital at
Ajmer and MB hospital at Udaipur amounting to Rs. 44.10 Crores were
taken. Out of these works construction of Satellite Hospital at Ajmer
& Kota, Expansion and Rehabilitation of Zanana Hospital & Mahila
Chikitsalaya at Jaipur have already been completed.
Our commitment - QUESTT
Quality:
Quality is of paramount importance in RUIDP works. For proper supervision
of the works, our consultants' engineers work in tandem with the engineers
of the State Government. A Quality Assurance and Quality Control manual
delineating all important Quality Control tests and procedures has been
prepared and enforced in RUIDP.
It has been made mandatory to test all inputs (construction materials)
at each site in the 'Site Laboratory'. Officers of PMU & PMC, conduct
sudden inspections of quality of construction. Third party inspections
by reputed organizations are necessary at manufacturing units before dispatch
of materials to RUIDP work sites. Training programs are being organized
to orient officers of RUIDP towards Quality of inputs, Quality during
process (workmanship), Quality of outputs. Several project management
circulars have been issued by PMU to help create quality awareness and
streamline procedures of Quality Control. Sincere efforts have been made
to bring quality of RUIDP works to match with international standards.
Utility:
Highly beneficial, relevant and useful works of high priority with long
term perspective have been identified in the project. These works should
result in direct benefits to the people on a sustainable basis.
Economy:
Conscious efforts have been made to institutionalize the concepts of Value
Engineering to arrive at the best techno economic designs in the project.
Some of the designs have been reviewed by IITs, the most prestigious technical
institutions in India. A Pro-active approach to attract large number of
pre-qualified contractors for submission of bids coupled with unambiguous
and detailed bid documents has resulted in bidders giving highly competitive
rates. Emphasis on timely execution of the project works will obviate
any cost escalations. Administrative and overhead expenditures have been
kept to a minimum level. No new recruitments have been made, no administrative
offices have been constructed and no vehicles have been purchased. All
project staff has been taken on deputation from other State Government
departments. Services of experts as consultants have been taken for minimum
justifiable periods.
Safety
Site engineers in RUIDP ensure that all necessary safety measures are
in place prior to any execution of work. They also take adequate steps
to minimize any possible public inconvenience. Safety measures to be adopted
during execution have been included as part of the bid documents clearly
defining responsibilities of the contractors. Separate directions regarding
safety measures are issued from time to time from PMU in this regard.
Transparency:
Procedures have been decided and enforced for clean and transparent implementation
of the Project works. There is an open and fair system of bidding, evaluation
and award of contract based on objective criteria. Realizing that a timely
payment to contractors is the essence of clean implementation, detailed
time-bound procedures have been laid out for approvals and payments. It
is our endeavor in RUIDP to facilitate the work of contractors by ensuring
approvals and payments in time. Efforts have been made for making the
project information available to the general public through various media
campaigns. Web site www.ruidp.org.in has been prepared with the help of
RAJCOMP, and complete information about RUIDP is available on this website
Timeliness:
For timely execution of a work contract, time period for execution and
stipulated date of completion of work are decided at the time of award
of the contract Each package is monitored by work plans and milestone
charts. Contract review meetings are conducted at work site on a weekly
basis at the PIU level and on a monthly basis at the PMU level. Various
problems and issues of contractors in work implementation are resolved
in these meetings. In certain contracts where it is felt that interventions
are required at higher level, the top management of the contracting firms
is called for review meetings and the bottlenecks are removed.