NHAI sets up an asset monetisation cell; aims to achieve over Rs 50,000 crore monetsiation target for 2024-25

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set up an asset monetisation cell to drive its future monetisation plans besides overseeing the monetisation of completed and operational highways assets, ensuring efficient and effective implementation of asset monetisation strategies. NHAI member (finance) will head the cell which would comprise of contractual and regular employees specializing in finance, technical, techno finance, commercial and transport economics, the NHAI said in a circular issued on Monday.

As per the circular, the members of the cell will be appointed for a period of two years and extendable up to two more years but not exceeding more than five years.

The asset monetisation cell will be responsible for advising NHAI on overall planning and methodology for asset monetisation, conduct market analysis and feasibility study to identify potential assets with focus on projects which have established toll collection records and potential for revenue generation.

Besides, the cell will be responsible for formation of public infrastructure investment trust, form strategy document for NHAI for monetization and engage with all stakeholders including investors, government and financial institutions to facilitate monetisation process.

To enable the investors plan their investments efficiently and thereby accelerate the monetisation process, NHAI has already identified and published an indicative list of 33 assets to be monetised during 2024-25 which could yield in excess of Rs 50,000 crore in the current fiscal year.The ministry of road transport and highways monetize assets worth Rs 40,314 crore in 2023-24, out of the Rs 97,000 crore monetisation receipts in the last financial year.