NBCC, a state-owned organisation, has secured nearly Rs20bn ($310m) road construction contract in the state of Uttarakhand.

The company, which is primarily engaged in real-estate development and construction business, has diversified into road construction with this contract.

NBCC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ecotourism Development Corporation of Uttarakhand (EDCUL) to build an eco-tourism circuit along Kotdwar-Ramnagar Kandi road in the state.

In addition to straight roads, the 50km-long four-lane highway road project will comprise elevated sections such as flyovers and bridges to ensure the free movement of wild animals.

To be developed under green infrastructure / green road model, the Kotdwar-Ramnagar Kandi road will pass through the Jim Corbett National Park, Garhwal and Kumaon Mandals.

“With the present government’s thrust towards roads and highways construction, we foresee immense opportunities in this space.”

Upon completion of the project, the distance from Kotdwar, Kalagarh and Ramnagar to the state capital Dehradun will be significantly reduced.

The scope of the project will also feature associated services, including maintenance works and public convenience sites.

NBCC chairman and managing director Dr Anoop Kumar Mittal was quoted by media sources as saying: “NBCC is always scouting for growth opportunities in existing and new sectors.

“With the present government’s thrust towards roads and highways construction, we foresee immense opportunities in this space.”

The company has also partnered with the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun to carry out ecological planning of the project by using satellite data.

In addition to this project, NBCC is associated with the union government’s Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to build rural roads in the states of Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal and Tripura.