MoRTH to bid out more projects on EPC mode

Reportedly, the MoRTH has plans to bid out more projects in the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode. The ministry claims that the number of highway developers that could arrange finance and take up projects is much lower as compared to EPC firms. According to the ministry, the current market conditions may not support build-operate-transfer projects but the investor interest level must be gauged. Besides, the delay in financial closure on projects implemented on the hybrid annuity model has also encouraged the ministry to focus on implementing projects in the EPC mode with plans to monetise them later.