EPFO Joins NHAI InvIT as Strategic Investor

09 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will join the public infrastructure investment trust promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) by committing funds to acquire 16.6 per cent of the units on offer in the maiden public issue of Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT). EPFO has committed Rs 10 billion (bn) to the offer and the NHAI as sponsor has committed to acquire 15 per cent of units. The arrangement places EPFO as a strategic investor with a stake larger than that of the sponsor.

State Bank of India Life Insurance Company Limited (SBI Life) will participate as another strategic investor by acquiring 4.3 per cent of units through an investment of Rs 2.6 bn. Managers of RIIT will invite bids from anchor investors from March 10 and such anchor bids are separate from the strategic investor commitments. Around 10 per cent of units may be set aside for retail investors and the issue aims to broaden participation across investor categories.

In all, RIIT will need to raise around Rs 95 bn to acquire five highway stretches totalling 260 km from NHAI, with about Rs 60 bn to be raised through equity and the remaining Rs 35 bn through debt. The price band for each unit has been fixed at Rs 99–100 and the minimum bid size for anchor investors is Rs 14,850 or 150 units. The managers will use the funds to complete acquisition and initial operations of the monetised assets.

The five stretches are spread across four states and total 260 km. Over the next three to five years, NHAI plans to provide a further 1,500 km of assets to RIIT which could expand the trust’s portfolio. NHAI has accepted an offer of Rs 62.2 bn from the National Highways Infrastructure Trust (NHIT) for two highway stretches, which takes funds raised through InvIT monetisation to Rs 157.2 bn.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..