MoRTH conference propels revival of BOT projects

19 Jan 2024 CW Team

During the conference, Nitin Gadkari expressed the commitment to revitalise the BOT model, aiming to make it more investment-friendly and enticing for private partnerships. He emphasised that this revitalisation would not only fortify road infrastructure but also have a positive impact on the economy by creating employment opportunities and reducing logistical costs.

The conference featured presentations by senior officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding proposed modifications to the Model Concession Agreement (MCA) of BOT (Toll). These modifications aimed to address concerns raised by stakeholders and eliminate discrepancies in various aspects, including termination payments, Concession Period adjustments based on actual traffic, reconsideration of actual traffic exceeding design capacity, and defining termination payments related to delays and force majeure causes. A new provision for Buy Back in case of Additional Tollway/Competing Road was also introduced.

Currently, due to implementation challenges in BOT Projects, projects are predominantly awarded on Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) or Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). To revive BOT projects, several initiatives such as Harmonious Substitution, One Time Fund Infusion, Rationalised Compensation, Premium Deferment, and allowing refinancing have been implemented. Looking ahead, 53 BOT (Toll) Projects covering a length of 5200 km and valued at Rs. 2.1 trillion have been identified, with bids for 7 projects covering a length of 387 km and worth Rs 270 billion already invited.

Aligning with the Government of India?s 'Vision 2047' Plan, numerous high-speed corridors are envisioned for development. The robust Public-Private Partnership in the road sector is considered pivotal to realising this vision, contributing significantly to the development, operation, and maintenance of a world-class National Highway Network in the country.

In a bid to promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects and streamline business operations, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) orchestrated a conference in New Delhi. This gathering included key industry players such as Concessionaires/Contractors, Highway Operators, Investment Trusts, and representatives from Bankers/Financial Institutions, as well as Technical and Financial Consultants from the road sector. The inaugural session was graced by Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, alongside dignitaries like Anurag Jain, Secretary, MoRTH, Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman NHAI, and senior officials from various departments and authorities related to road infrastructure. During the conference, Nitin Gadkari expressed the commitment to revitalise the BOT model, aiming to make it more investment-friendly and enticing for private partnerships. He emphasised that this revitalisation would not only fortify road infrastructure but also have a positive impact on the economy by creating employment opportunities and reducing logistical costs. The conference featured presentations by senior officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding proposed modifications to the Model Concession Agreement (MCA) of BOT (Toll). These modifications aimed to address concerns raised by stakeholders and eliminate discrepancies in various aspects, including termination payments, Concession Period adjustments based on actual traffic, reconsideration of actual traffic exceeding design capacity, and defining termination payments related to delays and force majeure causes. A new provision for Buy Back in case of Additional Tollway/Competing Road was also introduced. Currently, due to implementation challenges in BOT Projects, projects are predominantly awarded on Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) or Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). To revive BOT projects, several initiatives such as Harmonious Substitution, One Time Fund Infusion, Rationalised Compensation, Premium Deferment, and allowing refinancing have been implemented. Looking ahead, 53 BOT (Toll) Projects covering a length of 5200 km and valued at Rs. 2.1 trillion have been identified, with bids for 7 projects covering a length of 387 km and worth Rs 270 billion already invited. Aligning with the Government of India?s 'Vision 2047' Plan, numerous high-speed corridors are envisioned for development. The robust Public-Private Partnership in the road sector is considered pivotal to realising this vision, contributing significantly to the development, operation, and maintenance of a world-class National Highway Network in the country.

Infrastructure Urban

17 Sep 2025

DCPC Prepares for Special Campaign 5.0 with Focus on E-Waste

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is gearing up for Special Campaign 5.0, to be held from 2nd to 31st October 2025. The initiative will focus on e-waste disposal as per MoEFCC’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022, space optimisation, and enhancing workplace efficiency across field offices.Special Campaign 4.0, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024, delivered notable results in record management, grievance redressal, scrap disposal, and cleanliness drives.Key outcomes of Special Campaign 4.0Records management: 2,443 physical fil..

Real Estate

17 Sep 2025

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..