In the December quarter, the construction sector took a hit. The average net revenue of 156 firms in the mid and large-sized category, excluding L&T, fell by 9 per cent YoY. Road developers took a hit on account of toll collections, which were suspended for three weeks. Orders across infrastructure sector slid several notches. The road sector itself, as reported earlier in this column, has not been able to achieve its targets.
NHAI and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had awarded projects of about 3,200 km and 3,100 km, respectively, till mid-February. NHAI had watered down its forecast for FY17 from 10,000 km to 6,700 km. In nine months of FY17, the NHAI awards have dwindled by 8 per cent YoY. While the new hybrid annuity model (HAM) had many takers owing to PPP, lenders are reluctant given the overhang of past record liabilities. As per reports, only 15 of the 35 projects awarded under HAM have achieved financial closure and some have even been cancelled. Even if we factor in an achievement confidence index of 40 per cent on projected estimates, the aspirational scale is so huge that anything over 40 per cent would add a welcome spur to economic growth. As per Nitin Gadkari, Minister of MoRTH & Shipping, a national perspective plan under the Sagarmala project has been prepared and projects worth Rs 8 lakh crore have been identified. This can accelerate momentum in trade as with a 7,500-km coastline, our country transports only 6 per cent of its cargo through waterways compared to around 55 per cent on roadways and 35 per cent by the railways. As a result, logistic costs as a percentage of GDP is as high as 19 per cent compared to 12.5 per cent in China.
On the brighter side, the process to expedite government spending is in the works. With four more states falling with the ruling party, the agenda of development will step up activity locally. Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa will toe the Centre’s diktat of development. The state budgets and their policies reflect the urgency to transform. This is evident from policies being introduced in creating a better business environment in Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The most notable among the reforms are related to land and its use. Unlocking land for commercial and industrial use will lead to increase in economic activity.
If bad bank loans can now find a solution, we may return to an easy money era that would accelerate return on capital and bring back private investors. Only then will we be set for an economic miracle.