+
NHAI to Create Asset Register for Long-Term Monetisation
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

NHAI to Create Asset Register for Long-Term Monetisation

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to develop a comprehensive register of highway stretches with long-term monetisation potential, aimed at maximising the value of road assets and providing better strategic visibility for investors.

Currently, NHAI issues an annual list of highways proposed for monetisation through either the toll-operate-transfer (TOT) model or infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs). The newly planned register will supplement this yearly list, enabling investors to frame long-term strategies based on a broader pipeline of viable assets.

For the 2025 financial year, the monetisation list comprises 24 highway stretches spanning a total of 1,472 km. While the Union Budget has set a monetisation target of Rs 300 billion (approximately £2.8 billion), this figure may be revised upward, as the latest asset monetisation strategy emphasises a more aggressive sales push.

The forthcoming asset register will include detailed technical and financial information to assess monetisation potential. Based on traffic density and toll revenue prospects, assets will be categorised into four tiers: highly attractive, moderately attractive, potentially attractive, and low revenue-per-kilometre. This classification will support the creation of well-balanced asset bundles that combine short-term returns with long-term growth, offering investors lower risk and higher appeal. Stretches with low toll revenue will be excluded from bundling.

To qualify for the register, highway stretches must have been operational for at least a year, with all construction works completed and no significant upgrades anticipated in the near future. Additionally, they must demonstrate strong toll collections—currently, stretches generating more than Rs 8 million per kilometre per year are being evaluated for inclusion. Only legally unencumbered assets, free from disputes or arbitration, will be added.

According to the strategy document, NHAI also plans to roll out a public InvIT to promote retail investor participation. Three bundles will be offered for monetisation every quarter through this mechanism. This public trust will operate alongside the private National Highway Infrastructure Trust (NHIT), which has already completed four monetisation rounds.

The move underscores the government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure financing through sustainable and investor-friendly models.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to develop a comprehensive register of highway stretches with long-term monetisation potential, aimed at maximising the value of road assets and providing better strategic visibility for investors.Currently, NHAI issues an annual list of highways proposed for monetisation through either the toll-operate-transfer (TOT) model or infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs). The newly planned register will supplement this yearly list, enabling investors to frame long-term strategies based on a broader pipeline of viable assets.For the 2025 financial year, the monetisation list comprises 24 highway stretches spanning a total of 1,472 km. While the Union Budget has set a monetisation target of Rs 300 billion (approximately £2.8 billion), this figure may be revised upward, as the latest asset monetisation strategy emphasises a more aggressive sales push.The forthcoming asset register will include detailed technical and financial information to assess monetisation potential. Based on traffic density and toll revenue prospects, assets will be categorised into four tiers: highly attractive, moderately attractive, potentially attractive, and low revenue-per-kilometre. This classification will support the creation of well-balanced asset bundles that combine short-term returns with long-term growth, offering investors lower risk and higher appeal. Stretches with low toll revenue will be excluded from bundling.To qualify for the register, highway stretches must have been operational for at least a year, with all construction works completed and no significant upgrades anticipated in the near future. Additionally, they must demonstrate strong toll collections—currently, stretches generating more than Rs 8 million per kilometre per year are being evaluated for inclusion. Only legally unencumbered assets, free from disputes or arbitration, will be added.According to the strategy document, NHAI also plans to roll out a public InvIT to promote retail investor participation. Three bundles will be offered for monetisation every quarter through this mechanism. This public trust will operate alongside the private National Highway Infrastructure Trust (NHIT), which has already completed four monetisation rounds.The move underscores the government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure financing through sustainable and investor-friendly models.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train’s Surat-Vapi Section Set for 2027

The first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor, linking Surat and Vapi, is targeted to begin services in 2027. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026, while Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that an inauguration could take place around the middle of 2027. The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) said the train being manufactured in India is expected to reach the tracks around April or May 2027. The train will undergo extensive testing before the section is opened for passenger services. The project began construction in 2021 and includ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Indian Railways Approves Four Projects Worth Rs. 7.36 bn Across Four States

Indian Railways has approved four projects with a combined value of Rs. 7.36 bn across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The programme covers train protection, signalling, electric traction supply and a road overbridge, with each project assigned to a different railway zone. In Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 2.52 bn has been approved to extend the Kavach 4.0 automatic train protection system across 607.7 km in the Lucknow Division of North Eastern Railway. The system monitors train movements and can apply the brakes if a driver fails to observe a signal or exceeds a safe speed. The w..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Chandru Raheja Sells 1.49% Stake in Mindspace REIT for Rs. 5 bn

Billionaire Chandru Lachmandas Raheja has sold a 1.49 per cent holding in Mindspace Business Parks REIT for Rs. 5 bn through a bulk deal on the BSE. The transaction involved 9.9 mn units and was executed at an average price of Rs. 505 per unit, according to exchange data. Following the sale, units of Mindspace Business Parks REIT were trading 0.18 per cent lower at Rs. 504.05 on Tuesday. Exchange data did not identify the buyers involved in the transaction. Raheja is the chairman of real estate company K Raheja Corp. The sale involved 99,00,990 units, representing 1.49 per cent of the Mumbai-b..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code