Rating Rationale
July 31, 2019 | Mumbai
Ashoka Highways (Bhandara) Limited
Rating downgraded to 'CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.154 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable')
 
Rs.170 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has downgraded its rating on the long-term bank facility and non-convertible debentures of Ashoka Highways (Bhandara) Limited (AHBL) to 'CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable' from 'CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable'.

The downgrade reflects lower-than-expected traffic growth and in turn toll collections, and expected subdued toll revenue growth on the company's project stretch over the medium term impacting the debt protection metrics. Toll revenue grew by 4.9% in fiscal 2019 constrained by low traffic growth of 2%, and continued to remain subdued at 4.3% in first quarter of fiscal 2020 as well. Low traffic growth was largely on account of implementation of revised axle load norms by the central government last fiscal, increasing the permissible limit of carrying capacity of goods by 20-25%. The downgrade also takes into account increase in interest rate on the term loan by 115 basis points further impacting the debt protection metrics marginally.

The ratings continue to reflect AHBL's moderate debt protection metrics, and need-based support expected from the sponsors. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatile toll collection and interest rates.

The 'SO' suffix in the rating reflects the tight escrow mechanism through which cash flows from toll collection will be routed and used for meeting operating expenses and debt obligations, and maintenance of a debt service reserve account (DSRA).

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has factored in support expected from the ultimate sponsor - Ashoka Buildcon Ltd (ABL; 'CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+') - to meet any shortfall in the project, as per the parent support agreement.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Moderate debt protection metrics
Despite lower-than-expected toll revenue growth in the past 9-12 months, AHBL continues to benefit from moderate growth in toll collection, supported by its key drivers: project location and commercial traffic. Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) remained above 1 time in fiscal 2019, and is expected to remain moderate over the medium term, backed by moderate growth in toll collection. The project also benefits from DSRA of Rs 50 crore maintained in the form of bank guarantee.
 
* Expected support from the sponsors in need
AHBL benefits from the support of its sponsors'ABL, Ashoka Concession Ltd (ACL) and other group companies. ABL has provided an undertaking to support the project to meet any shortfall in the project including debt servicing. The track record of support from the sponsors was seen in the past in meeting the major maintenance requirement in fiscal 2016, and is expected to continue for future major maintenance due in fiscal 2022. The support extended by the sponsors, in case of need, will, nevertheless, remain a key rating sensitivity factor.
 
Weaknesses
* Susceptibility to volatile toll collection and interest rates
Toll collection is the single source of revenue for AHBL and is a factor of toll rate hike and traffic growth. Toll rate hike is dependent on wholesale price index (WPI), which is exposed to continuous volatility. Traffic growth is exposed to toll leakages, seasonal variations in vehicular traffic, and susceptibility to economic downturns. Since commercial vehicles constitute a major portion of traffic on the road stretch, traffic volume will remain vulnerable to slowdown in the economy. Traffic growth has been impacted in fiscal 2019 and first quarter of fiscal 2020 as well. Any volatility in WPI or industrial traffic affects toll collection and will remain a key rating sensitivity factor.
 
Further, the debt obligations of the project include debt servicing on the term loan which has a floating interest rate. Hence, it is subject to volatility as per the changes in economic scenario and may impact the DSCR levels of the company as seen with the recent increase of 115 basis points in June 2019 and hence will remain a key rating monitorable.
Liquidity

Liquidity is adequate, supported by moderate DSCR levels, and cash and cash equivalents. DSCR remained above 1 time in fiscal 2019 and is expected to remain above 1 time over the medium term. Unencumbered cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 10.94 crore as on May 31, 2019. Furthermore, liquidity is also underpinned by DSRA of Rs 50 crore which is more than 1 year of debt servicing obligations in fiscal 2020 (Rs 49 crore). DSRA of Rs 50 crore will be maintained till fiscal 2023. Additionally, ABL is expected to extend financial support in case of shortfall in cash flows.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes AHBL's debt protection metrics will remain stable over the medium term, supported by moderate growth in toll collection. The ratings also benefit from support expected from the sponsors in need. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if substantial toll collection strengthens debt protection metrics. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if lower-than-expected toll collection, higher-than-expected operating expenses, intake of additional debt to fund maintenance cost, or delay in support expected from the sponsors weakens debt protection metrics.

About the Company

AHBL was incorporated in 2007, promoted by ABL and Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC), to undertake construction, widening, operation, and maintenance of an 80 kilometre-(km) stretch on NH-6 (from 405 km to 485 km), along the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border, on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis over a 20-year concession period. The project was completed in May 2010, and tolling commenced from October 2010. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI; rated 'CRISIL AAA/Stable') delinked the last stretch of 7.9 km from the scope of work as it was in a forest area, with no clearances from the forest department. This is one of the seven toll road projects transferred by ABL to ACL.

About the Parent
ABL's business comprises BOT road projects, engineering procurement construction (EPC) projects, collection of tolls on roads and bridges owned and constructed by third parties, and manufacturing of ready-mix concrete. The Ashoka group has a portfolio of BOT and hybrid annuity projects. In the EPC division, ABL constructs roads and bridges for its own BOT projects and for third parties. It also executes other infrastructure projects in the power transmission and distribution and commercial gas distribution sectors.

ABL has significant experience of executing road projects across India and has constructed over 10,000 lane km till date. This is also reflected in its outstanding BOT portfolio of 22 projects. In the EPC division, ABL constructs roads and bridges for its own BOT projects as well as for third parties. It also executes EPC projects in the power distribution space for various state governments.

Key Financial Indicators
Financials as on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 67.3 64.7
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore -35.8 -31.6
PAT Margin % -53.1% -48.8%
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times -3.98 -6.05
Interest coverage* Times 0.92 0.91
*Interest coverage is below 1 time on account of non-cash provisioning towards periodic maintenance and other non-cash Ind-AS adjustments

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate % Maturity Date Issue Size
(Rs Cr)
Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Rupee Term Loan NA 10.25% 31-Mar-26 154.0 CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable
INE850J07018 Non-Convertible Debentures 02-Mar-2015 10.58% 31-Mar-26 170.0 CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  146.84
15-06-19 
CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable      24-07-18  CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable  28-07-17  CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable  22-07-16  CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable  CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable 
                    28-04-16  CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  154.00  CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable      24-07-18  CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable  28-07-17  CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable  22-07-16  CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable  CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable 
                    28-04-16  CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable   
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Rupee Term Loan 154 CRISIL BBB+(SO)/Stable Rupee Term Loan 154 CRISIL A-(SO)/Stable
Total 154 -- Total 154 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
The Infrastructure Sector Its Unique Rating Drivers
Rating Criteria for Toll Road Projects

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