The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is interacting with investors to raise Rs 9,000 crore (about $ 1.03 billion) for its National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT). According to sources, this can be the largest funding campaign for the government trust so far.

Apart from this, it is also considered the initiative to raise the biggest fund for the Infrastructure Investment Trust (Invit) based roads in India. This fund will be used to acquire road assets from NHAI.

500 km highway will be acquired

According to a senior NHAI official, NHIT will acquire a total of 6 highways located in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Gujarat in the fourth round of asset acquisition.

This acquisition is being done with the aim of strengthening the quality and transport of roads.
This fundamental campaign expects further improvement in India’s highway networks.

Big international investors also included

According to sources, the bid of this era may also include major international institutional investors like Canada’s largest pension fund manager CPP Investments and Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP).

CPP Investments and OTPP already have a 50% stake in NHIT.
The participation of these two funds will further strengthen the investment plans of NHIT.

Domestic investors will also get big support

A large part of this fund is expected to come from insurance companies, mutual funds, corporate treasury and other domestic institutional investors.

NHAI has a 15.48% stake in NHIT, while
CPP Investments and OTPP have 25–25% stake.

Fund raising process will be completed by 31 March 2025

NHIT plans to complete the process of raising funds by the current financial year (31 March 2025).

The success of the country’s National Highway Network will gain more speed when this fundamental campaign is successful. In addition, investment in the infrastructure sector will also be boosted, which will improve logistics and connectivity.