National Highways Authority's debt stands at Rs 3.49 lakh crore

The total outstanding debt of state-owned National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) stood at around Rs 3.49 lakh crore as of March 31, 2022, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the fund required by NHAI for debt servicing in 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 will be Rs 31,282 crore, Rs 31,909 crore and Rs 30,552 crore, respectively.

Gadkari said the monetisation plan of operational highway stretches -- which have the largest share of Rs 1.6 lakh crore of the total asset monetisation plan of Rs 6 lakh crore over a period of four years, i.e. FY22 to FY25, as per the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) announced recently by the Centre -- includes 26,700 km of highways of four lanes.

Till date, NHAI has monetised 26 stretches under toll-operate-transfer (TOT) and InvIT modes of monetisation.

According to the minister, the total budgetary outlay of the road ministry under BE 2022-23 is Rs 1,99,107.71 crore.

"In addition, NHAI envisages raising of Rs 15,000 crore from SPV and Rs 30,000 crore is investment envisaged from private sector participation," he said.

Replying to a separate question, Gadkari said Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh have confirmed that they are following the provision of the Motor Vehicle Act and the notification issued thereunder to ensure the appropriate electronic enforcement devices on National Highways at high risk and high-density corridors.

"Remaining states/UTs have not yet confirmed," he added.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification on August 11, 2021, for electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety, which mandates that the state government shall ensure that appropriate electronic enforcement devices are placed at high risk and high-density corridors on National Highways.

Implementation of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 comes under the purview of the respective state governments/UTs.

Replying to another question, the minister said the use of steel slag in different pavement layers of highways is under the trial stage.

Asked if the government has any plan to take penal action against electric vehicles manufacturers for delivering faulty electric two-wheelers to the public, Gadkari said, "The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 contains provisions regarding non compliance with Standards (rule 127A), Suspension Order (rule 127B) and Defective Motor Vehicles and Recall Notice (rule 127C)."

"Section 182A of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 contains provisions regarding punishment for offences relating to construction, maintenance, sale and alteration of motor vehicles and component," he added.

Gadkari said 55.10 lakh plants have been planted in 94 road projects, completed by March 2021.

Asked whether the government plans any electric charging facilities on the Delhi-Mumbai highway, he said, "The ministry has mandated provision of charging facilities for EVs all along the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway."