Govt relaxes exit norms for road developers to revive highways sector

24 Jun 2013 Evaluate

In order to attract road developers and to revive highway sector, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a proposal for allowing companies to exit projects harmoniously without attracting punitive measures. The move will help to expedite implementation of road infrastructure in the country and insulate the NHAI from heavy financial claims and unnecessary disputes.

The CCEA said that to bring about required flexibility for existing concessionaires in terms of exit options, existing concessionaires both in case of completed and on-going projects are now permitted to divest their equity in totality. Subsequent to the substitution, the leading substituting entity shall require to maintain at least 51 percent equity holding in project special purpose vehicle (SPV). The mechanism of project implementation would include lender's representative in consultation with the concessionaire to invite, negotiate and procure offers either by private negotiations or public auction or tenders, for the takeover and transfer of the Project Highway.

The decision is taken in the view of declining interest among bidders for highway projects under the public-private-partnership mode and difficulties faced in achieving financial closure for such projects awarded in the recent past. Presently, a large number of highway projects including 20 major projects involving investment of Rs 27,000 crore are stalled owing to various hurdles like environment clearance.  Further, there was also a need to relax exit norms as many investment companies with sufficient resources have shown interest to acquire road projects, but are either unable or unwilling to take up due to the construction risks. 

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