NHAI to monetise Odisha's Panikoili-Rimuli NH

26 Apr 2024 CW Team

The expansion of the highway to four lanes had faced delays of more than ten years due to protests from local residents and difficulties in land acquisition. Progress on the project had come to a halt after a confrontation between local law enforcement and villagers in 2016 regarding the location and design of a bridge over the Kusei river at Belabahali in Keonjhar district.

To address the impasse, NHAI had engaged an expert team comprising technical professionals from IIT Kharagpur and former Works department secretary GC Mitra to reassess the location and design of the proposed bridge, which was subsequently confirmed. Presently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) utilizes three modes - TOT, InvIT, and project-based financing - to monetize its assets, offering investment opportunities across all categories of investors in highways and related infrastructure. However, it remains unclear which highways will be included in TOT bundles and which will be transferred to InvIT.

NHAI had already released 14 bundles of national highways in TOT mode. An NHAI official stated that although the mode of monetization for the Panikoili-Rimuli section had yet to be determined, TOT might be chosen due to the economic significance of the highway, which traverses through the mineral-rich belt of the region.

It was reported that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), encouraged by the funds raised by the National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT) during the previous fiscal year, had decided to monetise highway stretches covering a distance of 2,740 km in the ongoing fiscal year. NHIT, which serves as the infrastructure investment trust of NHAI, had successfully raised Rs 403.14 billion through various forms of asset monetization in the fiscal year 2023-24. According to NHAI sources, the 167 km Panikoili-Rimuli section of NH-20, constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 18 billion, was included in the asset monetisation plan and would be undertaken through either toll operate transfer (TOT) or infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) mode. The expansion of the highway to four lanes had faced delays of more than ten years due to protests from local residents and difficulties in land acquisition. Progress on the project had come to a halt after a confrontation between local law enforcement and villagers in 2016 regarding the location and design of a bridge over the Kusei river at Belabahali in Keonjhar district. To address the impasse, NHAI had engaged an expert team comprising technical professionals from IIT Kharagpur and former Works department secretary GC Mitra to reassess the location and design of the proposed bridge, which was subsequently confirmed. Presently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) utilizes three modes - TOT, InvIT, and project-based financing - to monetize its assets, offering investment opportunities across all categories of investors in highways and related infrastructure. However, it remains unclear which highways will be included in TOT bundles and which will be transferred to InvIT. NHAI had already released 14 bundles of national highways in TOT mode. An NHAI official stated that although the mode of monetization for the Panikoili-Rimuli section had yet to be determined, TOT might be chosen due to the economic significance of the highway, which traverses through the mineral-rich belt of the region.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..