The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has pre-paid loans worth ₹56,000 crore during the current fiscal year, significantly reducing its debt and saving around ₹1,200 crore in interest costs, a senior government official said on Sunday.
Debt Reduction Efforts
At the start of the 2024-25 fiscal year, NHAI’s total debt stood at ₹3.35 trillion. By the end of the third quarter, the debt had been brought down to ₹2.76 trillion, marking a substantial reduction in the state-owned agency’s financial liabilities.
Sources of Pre-Payment
According to the official, ₹15,700 crore of the pre-payment came from proceeds of the Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) monetisation. Additionally, ₹40,000 crore was pre-paid to high-interest lenders, including:
- National Small Savings Fund (NSSF): ₹30,000 crore
- State Bank of India (SBI): ₹10,000 crore
This targeted pre-payment to high-interest sources has helped NHAI lower its interest burden and manage its debt more efficiently.
Government Support
NHAI’s financial restructuring aligns with the government’s commitment to infrastructure development. In the 2024-25 Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated ₹1.68 trillion to NHAI, the same as the previous year.
Strategic Impact
The pre-payment and debt reduction efforts underscore NHAI’s focus on financial discipline while maintaining its role in developing India’s highway infrastructure. “NHAI is successfully reducing its debt liability,” the official stated, adding that this step would enable the agency to channel resources toward future projects and improve financial stability.
NHAI’s efforts reflect its commitment to sustainable growth and efficient use of resources while contributing to India’s infrastructure goals.
