ARTICLE AD BOX
The government has mobilised Rs 1,42,758 crore through various highway asset monetisation routes up to FY25, Parliament was informed on Thursday. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that asset monetisation is projected to contribute Rs 30,000 crore in the current fiscal year. Highway assets are monetised through three channels – Toll Operate & Transfer (ToT), Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT), and securitisation via Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). Under ToT, road stretches are auctioned for a 15-30 year concession to the highest bidder above the reserve price. NHAI has formed the National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT), which raises funds by issuing bonds and selling units on the SEBI platform to secure the best valuation. Securitisation allows NHAI to raise long-term finance by converting toll revenue from projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway into bonds through SPVs as an alternate funding route. On road safety, Gadkari said the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, launched in six states and Union Territories in March 2024, has treated 4,971 accident victims till July 31, 2025. The pan-India scheme provides up to Rs 1.5 lakh per victim for a maximum of seven days at designated hospitals. He added that as of August 12, 2025, 20,16,32,06 High Security Registration Plates have been issued, while 2,76,990 vehicles have been scrapped at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs).