Icra revises outlook on toll road businesses to positive for 2023
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Icra revises outlook on toll road businesses to positive for 2023

Rating agency ICRA Limited has revised its outlook on toll road businesses to positive from stable for 2023 as toll collections are likely to witness a healthy increase on the back of improved economic activity.

Around 65% of the freight traffic is dependent on sectors like mining, construction, and manufacturing which have witnessed a strong rebound, the ICRA told the media.

The growth in construction, mining, and manufacturing is estimated to be 6%-8% for 2023 and is likely to result in a 5%-6% increase in overall traffic volumes. This correspondence brings growth in toll rates and should support strong growth in collections.

Toll rates for projects linked to December wholesale price index (WPI) to see 8.4% growth, while the toll rates for projects connected to March WPI will witness a growth of 14.5%.

Icra Vinay Kumar G told the media that as regards toll collections, they are likely to grow by 17-20% during 2023 owing to a sharp increase in toll rates, traffic growth, and adjustment of 3%-4% revenues which was lost due to the second wave of Covid in Q1 FY22.

Further, a growth in toll collection is likely to far outweigh the expected growth in Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs due to high WPI and is likely to result in better coverage metrics. ICRA anticipates cumulative debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) to rise by at least 10 bps for most road projects.

The road sector is witnessing maximum action as the economy pushes ahead on an accelerated recovery path post the pandemic disruptions, among different infrastructure sectors. It remained above the 10,000 km mark and is likely to reach 12,000 km this year though road construction was delayed last year. The traffic on roads is also back to pre-Covid levels providing a healthy return to investors.

Image Source

Also read: Outlook on toll roads businesses looks positive

Rating agency ICRA Limited has revised its outlook on toll road businesses to positive from stable for 2023 as toll collections are likely to witness a healthy increase on the back of improved economic activity. Around 65% of the freight traffic is dependent on sectors like mining, construction, and manufacturing which have witnessed a strong rebound, the ICRA told the media. The growth in construction, mining, and manufacturing is estimated to be 6%-8% for 2023 and is likely to result in a 5%-6% increase in overall traffic volumes. This correspondence brings growth in toll rates and should support strong growth in collections. Toll rates for projects linked to December wholesale price index (WPI) to see 8.4% growth, while the toll rates for projects connected to March WPI will witness a growth of 14.5%. Icra Vinay Kumar G told the media that as regards toll collections, they are likely to grow by 17-20% during 2023 owing to a sharp increase in toll rates, traffic growth, and adjustment of 3%-4% revenues which was lost due to the second wave of Covid in Q1 FY22. Further, a growth in toll collection is likely to far outweigh the expected growth in Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs due to high WPI and is likely to result in better coverage metrics. ICRA anticipates cumulative debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) to rise by at least 10 bps for most road projects. The road sector is witnessing maximum action as the economy pushes ahead on an accelerated recovery path post the pandemic disruptions, among different infrastructure sectors. It remained above the 10,000 km mark and is likely to reach 12,000 km this year though road construction was delayed last year. The traffic on roads is also back to pre-Covid levels providing a healthy return to investors. Image Source Also read: Outlook on toll roads businesses looks positive

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

NHAI to Upgrade Tamil Nadu Highways

To reduce congestion on key national highways in Tamil Nadu, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has planned capacity upgrades for at least eight highway stretches. The improvements will include bypasses, flyovers, and four-laning in Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, and Cuddalore. NHAI has invited tenders to appoint consultants for preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) on these expansions. The affected highways include NH-181, NH-81, NH-532, NH-85, and NH-136. Proposed Upgrades Across Highways - NH-181 (Coimbatore-Gundlupet Route): This stretch will see four bypasses an..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Ludhiana-Bathinda Highway Revived as NHAI Invites Bids

The Ludhiana-Bathinda highway project, initially stalled due to land acquisition issues, has been revived as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) invites fresh bids to resume construction. The project, part of the Ludhiana-Ajmer Economic Corridor, is estimated to cost Rs 24.61 billion and will be executed in two phases. Package 1, covering 30.03 km, has a budget of Rs 9.06 billion, while Package 2, spanning 45.25 km, is set to cost Rs 15.55 billion. The NHAI had previously withdrawn the project due to unavailability of land. However, intervention from Union Minister for Road Trans..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Dilip Buildcon Wins Rs 460M Arbitration

Infrastructure major Dilip Buildcon has secured an arbitration award of Rs 460 million against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) over delays and breaches during the execution of a highway project in Karnataka. The dispute pertains to the Rehabilitation and Upgradation of the Kerala Border to Kollegala Section of NH 212, awarded to Dilip Buildcon under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreement dated June 6, 2014. The project involved two-lane expansion with paved shoulders and four-lane development under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase IV..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?