Infrastructure: Sector Update | 10 December 2018
India Roads
Financial closure concerns for HAM projects receding
Focus now shifts to execution and fresh awarding
Of late, infrastructure (Roads) sector stocks have witnessed a sharp correction.
Concerns regarding (a) financial closure of recently awarded projects, (b) delays in
receiving appointed date impacting timely execution of projects awarded, and (c)
sluggishness in FY19 NHAI awarding given upcoming general elections and financing
constraints for HAM projects are weighing down the sector. However, our recent
channel checks with developers, lenders and Road sector awarding authority
indicate that financial closure concerns for HAM projects are waning and focus is
now on execution and fresh awarding. Key takeaways:
FY19 to see a dip in awarding
Awarding activity in the road sector has remained lackluster recently given (a)
multiple HAM projects awarded in FY18 are yet to receive an appointed date, (b)
changes at NHAI’s top brass, which has further delayed the awarding process, and
(c) difficulty in acquisition of land for new projects to be awarded. Financial closure
of awarded projects has been delayed due to liquidity tightness. Additionally, non-
availability of land is a road-block for the appointed date of most projects. FY19
being an election year, we believe project awarding from NHAI should see a YoY
decline and EPC should remain the preferred mode of awarding. As against INR1.2t
awarding witnessed in FY18, we expect a decline in awarding to INR700-800b in
FY19. Our channel checks suggest meaningful ordering should begin from Jan’19 as
NHAI starts fresh awarding after prior awarded projects are in execution phase.
Tender pipeline from NHAI remains encouraging with live projects worth INR900b;
however, there has been considerable delay in invitation of bids for tenders floated.
Lower ordering not a dampener for the sector
Although, we anticipate a decline in FY19 ordering, we believe it is not a dampener
for the sector as current order backlog of all players is healthy with an average
revenue visibility of 3.5-4x TTM. Even the project pipeline under the Bharatamala
program (INR6.9t opportunity) should ensure ordering activity to revive going
forward with ample business opportunities for players in the sector. However,
timely execution and avoidance of cost overrun would depend on availability of land
and funding, ensuring profitable execution.
Financial closure concerns receding
Our analysis of the HAM projects awarded till date suggest that 60% (in km terms)
and 58% (in value terms) of projects were awarded to listed companies, and balance
40% (in km terms)/42% (in value terms) of projects were awarded to non-listed
players. Our interactions with listed players indicate delay in financial closure given
the cautious approach of banks while lending to infrastructure projects and multiple
covenants included in the loan agreement. However, most listed companies have
been able to achieve financial sanction and NHAI approval is awaited for financial
closure. In the non-listed space, ~65% players have achieved financial closure.
Overall, ~20% projects are yet to achieve financial closure.
Amit Shah – Research Analyst
(Amit.Shah@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 3029 5126
Ankur Sharma – Research Analyst
(Ankur.VSharma@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 3982 5449
Investors are advised to refer through important disclosures made at the last page of the Research Report.
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