“Reviving Roads, Rebuilding Trust — BOT 2.0 for India’s Highway Future.”

Govt to Notify Revamped BOT (Toll) Model Concession Agreement in a Month 

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to notify a revamped Model Concession Agreement (MCA) for BOT (Toll) projects within a month, aiming to reduce traffic-related risks and enhance predictability for private developers. Secretary V. Umashankar announced that the new MCA will remove the concept of "competing roads" and link all parameters, including compensation and buy-out, directly to traffic volumes. Built-in provisions will allow automatic interventions if traffic falls below or exceeds thresholds, and pre-construction risks like land acquisition and forest clearances will be resolved before bidding begins. The updated MCA aims to revive the BOT model after nearly a decade of disuse due to operational uncertainties and traffic volatility. With capital expenditure peaking, the focus is shifting towards monetising brownfield assets over new debt-funded projects.