Cube Highways to acquire RInfra’s Delhi-Agra Toll Road for Rs 3,600 cr

Singapore-based Cube Highways and Infrastructure III Pte Ltd is set to acquire Delhi-Agra Toll Road from Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) at an enterprise value of Rs 3,609 crore and both have entered into a definitive binding agreement for the same.

Cube Highways and Infrastructure III Pte Ltd has been formed by global infrastructure fund I Squared Capital and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

“The total deal enterprise value is over Rs 3,600 crore. In addition, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) claims of Rs 1,200 crore to be filed by DA (Delhi-Agra) Toll Road Pvt Ltd will flow directly to Reliance Infrastructure,” RInfra said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.

The enterprise value includes equity interests of approximately Rs 1,689 crore.

This transaction of selling 100% stake in the special purpose vehicle road project is as per Anil Ambani-promoted company’s strategic plan to monetise non-core businesses. Almost a year ago, RInfra had announced its plans to focus on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) business.

The proceeds from the sale of this 180 kilometre-long Delhi Agra Toll Road will be utilised to partially repay company’s debt. “Debt of RInfra will reduce by over 25% to only less than Rs 5,000 crore against the net worth of around Rs 23,700 crore,” RInfra’s statement said.

This is not the first business that the company has sold to pare its debt. In August 2018, Adani Transmission Ltd (ATL) acquired Mumbai power generation, transmission and distribution business from RInfra for Rs 18,800 crore. Post that transaction, RInfra reduced its debt liabilities by Rs 13,800 crore.

RInfra has eleven road projects worth Rs 11,430 crore with a cumulative length of 968 km, according to the company’s website. Seven of the projects are operational, while four (including Delhi-Agra) are under construction. Though this six-lane Delhi Agra Toll Road is still being built, the tolling operation had commenced in October 2012 and witnesses heavy traffic flow. As per the concession agreement inked with NHAI, the concession period is till 2038.

The divestment will be undertaken after the commercial operation date for the Delhi-Agra Toll Road is achieved.