loader

Disclaimer

The Bar Council of India does not permit advertisement or solicitation by advocates in any form or manner. By accessing this website, www.khaitanco.com, you acknowledge and confirm that you are seeking information relating to Khaitan & Co of your own accord and that there has been no form of solicitation, advertisement or inducement by Khaitan & Co or its members. The content of this website is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as soliciting or advertisement. No material/information provided on this website should be construed as legal advice. Khaitan & Co shall not be liable for consequences of any action taken by relying on the material/information provided on this website. The contents of this website are the intellectual property of Khaitan & Co.

Please accept the above
Close

Search

See all results for ""

Cabinet Approves Amendment of Toll Operate and Transfer Model of National Highways Authority of India

26-Nov-2019

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), on 20 November 2019 gave its approval to the proposed amendment to the to the Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) model of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). After the successful roll out of the TOT model in 2016, CCEA’s recent decision appears to be with a view to increase more participation of institutional investors in national highways sector for raising funds for NHAI.

Background

In 2016, the CCEA had first allowed NHAI to monetise the public funded national highways projects for raising funds from private or institutional investors by providing the right of collection and appropriation of tolls to concessionaire selected through an open, transparent competitive bidding (2016 TOT Model). The eligible projects under the 2016 TOT Model were brownfield highway projects, which were operational and generating toll revenues for 2 years after the Commercial Operation Date (COD). The 2016 TOT Model was rolled out to reduce the involvement of NHAI post construction of the highways and for providing with an overall framework for efficient Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the national highways. Under the 2016 TOT Model, the selected bidder was given the right to collect toll and operate and maintain the highway for a pre-determined concession period of 30 years against an upfront lump sum amount to NHAI.

Key Highlights

Ø   

The proposed amendment relaxes the eligibility criteria given under the 2016 TOT Model by reducing the operationalisation period of highways thereby approving monetisation of public funded highways 1 year after they are operational. Under the 2016 TOT Model, NHAI could monetise completed Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) and Build operate and Transfer (BOT) annuity highway projects, which had completed at least 2 years post COD on demonstrating stability in traffic numbers post COD. The amendment to the 2016 TOT Model will now allow NHAI to monetise assets with lesser operational period thereby allowing NHAI to raise funds by way of offering more highway projects to private or institutional investors.

Ø   

Amongst other changes, NHAI is also given the authority to determine the concession period of the projects between 15 to 30 years as opposed to previous fixed concession period of 30 years under the 2016 TOT Model.

Ø   

The monetisation of the highway using the TOT model will be subject to approval of competent authority in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways or NHAI on a case to case basis.

Ø   

NHAI has identified around 75 operational projects bundled into 10 separate bids for potential monetisation.

Ø   

The fund raised from the proceeds of monetisation will be utilised by the government to meet its fund requirements and for future development of highways in the country including O&M of national highways.

Comments

The CCEA’s decision to reduce the operationalisation period for highways to be eligible for monetisation is a welcome move and is in the right direction to attract more private investors to bid for highway projects by providing wider sets of assets. Introduction of shorter concession period will make highway assets more attractive, as investors will be able to make a better risk reward projection. Further, for institutional investors it will allow good opportunity to assess the sectoral challenges, risk and return projection. CCEA’s move is likely to provide the much needed funding to NHAI to finance its existing debt and this move will provide impetus to the government in achieving the target under the ambitious Bharatmala programme.

-       Dibyanshu (Partner) and Sathyajith Nair (Associate)

For any queries please contact: editors@khaitanco.com

Dibyanshu (partners)

We have updated our Privacy Policy, which provides details of how we process your personal data and apply security measures. We will continue to communicate with you based on the information available with us. You may choose to unsubscribe from our communications at any time by clicking here.

For private circulation only

The contents of this email are for informational purposes only and for the reader’s personal non-commercial use. The views expressed are not the professional views of Khaitan & Co and do not constitute legal advice. The contents are intended, but not guaranteed, to be correct, complete, or up to date. Khaitan & Co disclaims all liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether arising from negligence, accident or any other cause.

© 2021 Khaitan & Co. All rights reserved.

Mumbai

One Forbes
3rd & 4th Floors, No. 1
Dr. V. B. Gandhi Marg
Fort, Mumbai 400 001

Chennai

119/65, First Floor
Dr Radhakrishnan Salai
Mylapore
Chennai 600 004,
India

Noida

Max Towers
7th & 8th Floors
Sector 16B, Noida
Gautam Buddh Nagar
201 301 India

Singapore

Ocean Financial Centre
#37-02 10 Collyer
37th Floor Quay
Raffles Place 049315,
Singapore