Govt-sponsored infra investment trust by March

11 Jan 2021 Editorial Team

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said that India’s first government-sponsored Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) could be operational by March 2021.

In-principle approval for transfer to the InvIT has been given for around six road assets worth Rs 5,000 crore, said NHAI.

Transfer of assets to the InvIT includes the 32.6 km Kotha-Kata Bypass to Kurnool (Telangana), the 75 km-long Palanpur-Abu Road in Gujarat, the 31 km-long Abu Road-Swaroopganj in Gujarat, the 77 km Maharashtra-Karnataka border to Belgaum, and the 160 km Chittorgarh Kota and Chittorgarh Bypass Road in Rajasthan.

In December 2019, NHAI received approval from the Union cabinet to float the InvIT and is now in the process of legal vetting of the financing instrument.

With an objective to mobilise additional resources through capital markets, NHAI has been actively working on setting up an InvIT to monetise its completed and operational national highways projects.

InvITs are popular among investors of long term revenue-generating assets like power-transmission projects and toll roads. They enable a large number of investors to pool their money for investments into operational infrastructure assets in return for regular dividends. Global investors have been keen on such entities floated by domestic entities since the operating infrastructure assets provide stable and long term yields under the InvIT structure.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..