The Union Government does not maintain any conclusive statistical data separately for foreign investment in road sector. Foreign Direct Investment up to 100 % is allowed in road sector under the automatic route in Construction and maintenance of roads and highways offered on BOT basis including collection of Toll. To attract foreign investors in this sector, Ministers had bilateral meetings and also visited many countries to meet the investors and apprised them about project opportunities in road sector.
Delegations of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways have also conducted road shows to explain Government policy and guidelines to foreign investors. Government has also announced the setting up of Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs) to provide long-term, low-cost debt for infrastructure projects. The funds would allow infrastructure developer’s access to domestic and offshore investors on a long-term basis. Several foreign companies have successfully participated in the award process for developing highways.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Jitin Pradada, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.