Budget 2018: Will infra industry get an allocation boost from FM Jaitley?

UNION BUDGET 2018 INDIA Budget 2018: Will infra industry get an allocation boost from FM Jaitley?

It is believed that investment in India’s infrastructure industry would yield more impact if all related projects are planned and delivered on the same timeline.

This is seen as key to the success particularly of industrial corridors and nodes being planned. Under the Sagarmala initiative, ports are now being integrated with roads, railways, and coastal industrial zones/SEZs.

Dedicated freight corridors could be a key component, though there appears to be limited progress after the first two corridors.

Business Standard and PwC look at the present situation of the infrastructure sector, key issues facing it, and what the industry wants from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the upcoming Union Budget 2018-19.

Key issues facing the sector Integrated planning and delivery of projects Investments in infrastructure would yield more impact if all related projects are also planned and delivered on the same timeline This will be key to the success of Industrial Corridors and Nodes being planned Under the Sagarmala initiative, ports are now being integrated with roads, railways and coastal industrial zones/ SEZs. Dedicated Freight Corridors could be a key component of this approach Revival of private investment Despite the Hybrid Annuity Model has restarted PPP in National Highways, hurdles to large-scale private investment remain Both Banks and Developers are still financially constrained Project pipeline outside the road sector appears to be limited The promise of opening up Railways to private investment in a range of activities is still to translate into projects In Airports, investment opportunities have not emerged, and there is no model to attract private investment into regional airports Pricing of infrastructure Uncertainty in pricing is still key concern for commercial financiers.

In Airports, key orders of AERA are under legal challenge; the amendment of TAMP’s role in Ports is in abeyance

Tolls on roads are occasionally disrupted; Railway Development Authority not operationalised; metro tariff determination through Fare Fixation Committee still to be gain credibility.

What industry wants Sector specific mechanism to fast-track addressing of financial stress.

This should include addressing large amounts under dispute NIIF could play a catalytic role in furthering the secondary market, as well as creating new opportunities for channeling private investments.

Single-window approach for clearances in highway projects, and digitisation of revenue records.

Use of technology in collecting user-charges and monitoring performance, to minimize disputes Revival of PPPs through recommendations in Kelkar Committee report, as also by opening up new sectors. Use of HAM model with strong counterparty; and leveraging existing cashflows, where user-charges are predictable

ARTICLE SOURCE – BUSINESS STANDARD.