Cube Highways secures funding from IFC

Cube Highways, managed by Cube Highways Fund Advisors, successfully secured Rs 1,030 crore through long-term listed non-convertible debentures (NCDs) from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The transaction was finalised on June 28, 2023.

The funds raised through this deal will be utilised for a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) owned by Cube Highways Trust. Cube Highways Trust has a diversified portfolio of 18 toll and annuity road assets with an aggregate length of 1,423.60 km. These road assets are located across 11 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. 

Commenting on the transaction, Vinay Sekar, CEO of Cube InvIT, said, “We are grateful for the support and confidence shown by IFC. This collaboration further reinforces Cube's dedication to upholding exemplary standards of governance and sustainability practices. Cube Highways Trust remains committed to operating and maintaining high-quality infrastructure assets and generating long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

Pankaj Vasani, Group CFO of Cube InvIT, said, “With a total tenure of 12 years, and a robust structure, the long-term financing provided by IFC conforms harmoniously to Cube's overarching strategic objective of fostering a resilient balance sheet, and further bolstering its financial stability and viability in the market.”

World-class sports complex in Tirupati soon

A new world-class sports complex will soon be developed in Tirupati, following a meeting between Animeni Ravi Naidu, Chairman of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP), G Narasimha Yadav, TDP Parliamentary President of Tirupati, and District Collector Dr. S Venkateswar. The new sports policy, recently approved by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, aims to elevate the standards of sports infrastructure in the region. During the meeting, the team discussed various components of the sports policy and highlighted plans to enhance Tirupati’s sports landscape. A key focus was the propo..

Centre sets up five working groups to transform city management

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has established five working groups to recommend reforms aimed at transforming urban governance across India. The groups will focus on areas such as political and administrative reforms, redefining the role of parastatals, rural-urban continuity, and enhancing local capacity building. These working groups will examine key issues like enhancing accountability among elected officials in project execution, the direct election of mayors, and the creation of participatory budgeting processes. The groups will submit their findings within three ..

US Nagar highway to be realigned for Pantnagar airport expansion

A major highway realignment project has been announced in Udham Singh Nagar to facilitate the expansion of Pantnagar International Airport. The National Highway (NH) 109 will be relocated by 7 km behind the airport to accommodate the airport’s expansion plans. Vikas Mittal, Project Director at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), confirmed that a detailed project report (DPR) for the realignment is being prepared and will be submitted by December 22. The realigned stretch will curve near the Anandi Mata Temple, follow the railway line, and reconnect with the main highway near Sa..