Road to Asset monetisation
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Road to Asset monetisation

In the last fiscal, India’s premier road construction authority, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), kept up the rapid expansion momentum of recent years, constructing over 30 km of roads daily while new highway awards topped 12,375 km. Such diligent expansion of the country’s highway network in recent years has left the authority with a massive Rs.3.42 trillion debt (at the end of March 2023).

Not surprisingly, the Government is now intently focusing on mopping up funds from the private sector to further expand the existing highway network and service the highway authority’s debt. A proposed National Monetisation Plan (NMP) detailed in 2021 estimated raising Rs.6 trillion through the core assets of the Central Government between 2021 and 2026. Monetising 26,700 km of four-lane and above national highways was expected to contribute 27 per cent (`1.6 trillion) of this sum.

Crisil has estimated that NHAI’s need for funds will double to Rs.10 trillion over the next five-year period vis-à-vis the previous five years, and that 15 per cent of this sum could be generated by the monetisation of assets. It has also estimated that if this funding comes through, NHAI could construct 25,000 km of national highways between 2022 and 2026, compared to 17,228 km between 2017 and 2021.

Infra trusts to the rescue

To support the Government’s NMP, in October 2021, NHAI created the National Highways Infra Trust (NHAI InvIT), an infrastructure investment trust. 

“Asset monetisation through the NHAI InvIT will play a big role in the repayment of principal amounts so that NHAI achieves its plan to significantly reduce its current outstanding debt by 2029-30,” notes Puneet Narang, Partner, Major Projects, Business Consulting, KPMG in India. “Essentially, the NMP aims at tapping into institutional and private-sector investment for the creation of new infrastructure.”

To read the full story, CLICK HERE.

In the last fiscal, India’s premier road construction authority, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), kept up the rapid expansion momentum of recent years, constructing over 30 km of roads daily while new highway awards topped 12,375 km. Such diligent expansion of the country’s highway network in recent years has left the authority with a massive Rs.3.42 trillion debt (at the end of March 2023).Not surprisingly, the Government is now intently focusing on mopping up funds from the private sector to further expand the existing highway network and service the highway authority’s debt. A proposed National Monetisation Plan (NMP) detailed in 2021 estimated raising Rs.6 trillion through the core assets of the Central Government between 2021 and 2026. Monetising 26,700 km of four-lane and above national highways was expected to contribute 27 per cent (`1.6 trillion) of this sum.Crisil has estimated that NHAI’s need for funds will double to Rs.10 trillion over the next five-year period vis-à-vis the previous five years, and that 15 per cent of this sum could be generated by the monetisation of assets. It has also estimated that if this funding comes through, NHAI could construct 25,000 km of national highways between 2022 and 2026, compared to 17,228 km between 2017 and 2021.Infra trusts to the rescueTo support the Government’s NMP, in October 2021, NHAI created the National Highways Infra Trust (NHAI InvIT), an infrastructure investment trust. “Asset monetisation through the NHAI InvIT will play a big role in the repayment of principal amounts so that NHAI achieves its plan to significantly reduce its current outstanding debt by 2029-30,” notes Puneet Narang, Partner, Major Projects, Business Consulting, KPMG in India. “Essentially, the NMP aims at tapping into institutional and private-sector investment for the creation of new infrastructure.”To read the full story, CLICK HERE.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

NHAI to Build 6-Lane Agra-Gwalior Expressway on BOT (Toll) Mode

To enhance connectivity between the tourism hubs of Agra and Gwalior, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will develop 88 km long 6-lane access controlled Agra-Gwalior Greenfield Expressway (NH-719D). NHAI, today signed a concession agreement for the implementation of project with GR Infraprojects, in presence of NHAI Chairman, Santosh Kumar Yadav and senior officials of NHAI and the Concessionaire. The Agra-Gwalior Greenfield Expressway will start from Deori village in Agra and terminate at Susera village in Gwalior. The project shall be developed at a Total Capital Cost of Rs 46.13 b..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Cabinet Nods 166.8-km NH-6 Greenfield Corridor on HAM Mode

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for Development, Maintenance and Management of 4-lane Greenfield Access Controlled 166.80 km of National Highway No. 06 from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam on Hybrid Annuity Mode as an access controlled greenfield High-Speed Corridor at a total capital cost of Rs 228.64 billion. The project length of 166.80 km lies in Meghalaya (144.80 km) and Assam (22.00 km). The proposed Greenfield high-speed corridor will improve the service level ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Commercial Ops Begin at Multi-Modal Logistics Park in Nagpur

Under the PM Gati Shakti initiative of Prime Minister with the aim to provide seamless and efficient connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services across various modes of transport, thereby enhancing last-mile connectivity and reducing travel time, and under the guidance of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, the Multi Modal Logistics Park, Nagpur (MMLP Nagpur) at Sindi, near Wardha commenced its commercial operations with a goal to establish a faster link. The MMLP Nagpur established by National Highway Logistics Management (NHLML), a 100 per cent own..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?