+
Highway Ministry reaches 20% of April 2024 capital expenditure target
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Highway Ministry reaches 20% of April 2024 capital expenditure target

Despite experiencing a slowdown in awarding projects during the second half of 2023, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Morth) continued to prioritize front-loading capital expenditure, spending over Rs 545 billion on new highway construction in April this year.

In its monthly report to the Union Cabinet, the ministry reported that it had achieved 20.04 percent of its capital expenditure target with 11 months remaining.

The ministry has been proactive in early execution of capital expenditure, following a strategy set by the finance ministry to ensure infrastructure creation does not face excessive backlogs towards the end of the financial year.

Typically, ministries are expected to ensure that at least two-thirds of their capital expenditure is spent by the end of the second quarter. Although the highway ministry has consistently maintained double-digit percentage shares in capital expenditure in previous years, this is the first time it has begun a financial year having spent over Rs 500 billion.

Experts note that there is still a healthy pipeline of projects from the NHAI, and the impacts of the Bharatmala slowdown are expected to be more pronounced in FY26.

Additionally, the ministry had anticipated a decline in construction (and consequently capital expenditure) starting FY25 due to delays in the approval of the Revised Estimates of the Bharatmala project, which had seen a Rs 5 trillion increase in costs.

In November 2023, the ministry informed the cabinet that the shortfall in awards for the current year would affect construction progress in FY 2024-25.

Despite experiencing a slowdown in awarding projects during the second half of 2023, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Morth) continued to prioritize front-loading capital expenditure, spending over Rs 545 billion on new highway construction in April this year. In its monthly report to the Union Cabinet, the ministry reported that it had achieved 20.04 percent of its capital expenditure target with 11 months remaining. The ministry has been proactive in early execution of capital expenditure, following a strategy set by the finance ministry to ensure infrastructure creation does not face excessive backlogs towards the end of the financial year. Typically, ministries are expected to ensure that at least two-thirds of their capital expenditure is spent by the end of the second quarter. Although the highway ministry has consistently maintained double-digit percentage shares in capital expenditure in previous years, this is the first time it has begun a financial year having spent over Rs 500 billion. Experts note that there is still a healthy pipeline of projects from the NHAI, and the impacts of the Bharatmala slowdown are expected to be more pronounced in FY26. Additionally, the ministry had anticipated a decline in construction (and consequently capital expenditure) starting FY25 due to delays in the approval of the Revised Estimates of the Bharatmala project, which had seen a Rs 5 trillion increase in costs. In November 2023, the ministry informed the cabinet that the shortfall in awards for the current year would affect construction progress in FY 2024-25.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Real Estate

Prestige Estate Launches Rs 13.3 bn Residential Project in North Chennai

Prestige Estate Projects Limited has launched Prestige Palm Court, a residential development at Madhavaram in North Chennai, located on the Grand Northern Trunk Road. The project occupies seven point nine eight acres and is valued at Rs 13.3 bn, comprising 910 premium apartments across five towers with ground plus 22 floors and two basement levels for each tower. The development offers one, two and three BHK unit types with saleable areas ranging from 641 sq ft to 1,827 sq ft. The complete saleable area of the development is one point three eight million square feet (mn sq ft). As part of its ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Gaurs Group Buys 35-Acre Land Along Yamuna Expressway

Gaurs Group has acquired 35-acre land parcels along the Yamuna Expressway from ICICI Bank for around Rs 7 bn to develop residential projects as part of an expansion plan. The company purchased three land parcels in Sector 18 at an open auction and the largest plot measures 24 acres. The acquisition was reported to be on an as-is, where-is basis with the developer confirming it would settle outstanding dues including external development charges and farmer compensation. The group plans to use the 24-acre site as the primary location for a new launch and intends to roll out three to four housing..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

TIAA Global Capabilities Leases 255,713 Square Feet In Pune

TIAA Global Capabilities has leased 255,713 square feet (0.256 million square feet; 0.256 mn) at Panchshil Vantage in Wagholi, Pune, on a 10-year contract. The contractual rent over the term is Rs 320 crore (Rs 3.2 billion; Rs 3.2 bn) for the leased premises, the lease being recorded with P-one Infrastructure for the purpose of carrying out company operations. The move reflects an expansion of the firm's footprint in the city as it consolidates delivery and technology functions. The lease is set at Rs 92 per square foot per month, implying an initial monthly rent of about Rs 2.35 crore (Rs 23...

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code