Rajeshwar Burla, Group Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA, said, “Lower-than-estimated traffic was on account of aggressive traffic growth assumptions at the time of financial closure or loss in traffic due to alternative routes/toll leakages. With availability of long-term traffic data patterns across various geographies, the stakeholders are now better placed to validate the traffic assumptions. Further, with the implementation of FASTag through which 97-98% of toll collections are made, the toll leakages got arrested to a significant extent. However, the alternate route/mode risk continues to remain a major risk. With the country’s transportation network still evolving, alternate modes of transportation in the longer term such as dedicated freight corridor, waterways, new road alignments like economic corridors under Bharatmala as well as upgradations of existing state highways could pose a potent threat.”
On reasons for default in case of under construction projects, around 41% of the projects defaulted during the construction phase because of delay in equity infusion by sponsor due to their stressed financial position. In 21% of the projects, the defaults occurred due to the reasons attributable to authority (delay in handing over right of way (RoW), multiple changes in designs and ensuing cost over-runs) and the remaining 39% is on account of both authority and sponsor-related issues.
“The total debt outstanding for the 120 stressed assets stood at Rs. 62,000 crore. One-fourth of road projects have come out of default through various routes viz. stake sale and substitution wherein strong sponsor groups/ investors (private equity funds) have taken over the stressed assets, improved cash flow position, and restructuring. Through this, ~Rs. 20,000 crore of debt has been regularised. However, balance ~Rs. 42,000 crore of debt is still in default or is awaiting settlement in terminated projects,” Burla added.
