CONTENTS
- Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Model
- Exercise KAZIND-2023
Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Model
Context:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) recently awarded two highway monetisation projects worth Rs 6,584 in the toll, operate, and transfer (TOT) mode.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Dimensions of the Article:
- Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Model
- Utilization of Proceeds
Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Model
Authorization and Purpose
- CCEA Authorization: In 2016, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) authorized the NHAI to monetize public-funded national highway projects through the TOT model.
- Purpose: The TOT model aims to monetize operational public-funded projects by assigning fee collection rights to concessionaires against an upfront lump sum payment.
Encouraging Private Participation
- Private Involvement: The TOT model is designed to promote private sector participation in the highway sector, enhancing infrastructure development and management.
Model Mechanics
- Bidding Process: Operational projects, in service for two years, are offered for bidding.
- Concession Period: Concessionaires (developers or investors) are granted a predetermined 30-year period for fee collection and appropriation.
- Toll Revenue Basis: Assignment of rights is based on the toll revenue potential of selected national highway projects.
- O&M Obligations: Concessionaires are responsible for project Operation & Maintenance (O&M) throughout the concession period.
- Transparent Procurement: Concessionaires are selected through a transparent and uniform procurement process within an approved framework.
Utilization of Proceeds
- Fund Utilization: The model generates a corpus, which the government can use to fund future highway development and O&M, even in less economically viable areas.
- Meeting Infrastructure Needs: It supports the government in addressing highway infrastructure needs, including those in less lucrative regions.
Exercise KAZIND-2023
Context:
Recently, the Indian Army and Indian Air Force contingent, comprising 120 personnel, departed to take part in the Joint Military ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ which will be conducted at Otar, Kazakhstan, from October 30th to November 11th, 2023.
Relevance:
GS III: Security Challenges
Dimensions of the Article:
- Exercise KAZIND-2023
- Significance
Exercise KAZIND-2023
- 7th Edition: This is the 7th iteration of the Kazind exercise.
- Inception: The Joint Exercise between India and Kazakhstan began as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK’ in 2016.
- Upgrade to Company-Level: After the second edition, it was elevated to a company-level exercise and renamed ‘Exercise KAZIND’.
- Bi-Service Exercise: In this edition, the exercise has been further upgraded to a Bi-service Exercise, including the Air Force component.
Focus and Activities
- Counter Terrorism Operations: The current edition focuses on practicing Counter Terrorism operations within a sub-conventional environment under a United Nations mandate.
- Tactical Drills: Contingents will jointly rehearse various tactical drills, including Raid, Search and Destroy Operations, Small Team Insertion and Extraction operations, etc.
- Counter Unmanned Aerial System Operations: The exercise scope also encompasses Counter Unmanned Aerial System Operations.
Significance
- Mutual Insight: Provides both sides with the opportunity to gain insight into each other’s tactics, battle drills, and procedures, essential for operations under the United Nations.
- Skill Development: Joint training develops the necessary skills, resilience, and coordination for conducting military operations in semi-urban and urban environments.
- Skill Exchange: Allows both sides to practice a wide range of combat skills and learn from each other.
- Knowledge Sharing: Provides a platform for the contingents to exchange views and share best practices.
