Press Release

DBL Modasa Tollways Limited December 30, 2020 Ratings Facilities Amount (Rs. crore) Ratings1 Rating Action 74.01 CARE A; Stable Long term Bank Facilities Reaffirmed (Reduced from Rs. 79.74 Crore) (Single A ; Outlook: Stable) 74.01 Total Facilities (Rupees Seventy Four Crore and One Lakh only) Details of facilities in Annexure-1

Detailed Rationale & Key Rating Drivers The rating assigned to the bank facilities of DBL Nadiad Modasa Tollways Limited (DNMTL) continue to derive strength from its assured cash flow stream in the form of annuity receivable from Roads and Building Department (R&BD), Government of (GoG) along with the operational status of its road project with established track record of receipt of annuities and creation of debt service reserve account (DSRA). Further, the annuity receipts of DNMTL adequately cover its debt servicing requirements. The rating of DNMTL also continue to take into account divestment of the controlling stake in DNMTL by DBL to Shrem Roadways Private Limited (SRPL; part of Chhatwal Group Trust) and responsibility of DBL for undertaking the requisite operation and maintenance (O&M) and major maintenance (MM) activity of DNMTL without any consideration for the same from DNMTL as per the agreement entered between SRPL and DBL. The above rating strengths, however, continue to be tempered by inherent interest rate risk and performance risk attached with the O&M contractor (i.e. DBL).

Rating Sensitivities Positive Factors:  Improvement in the credit profile of counter party Negative Factors:  Deterioration in the credit profile of counter party and significant deterioration in credit profile of O&M contractor  Non-adherence to the stipulated O&M and MM requirements by O&M contractor leading to delay/deduction in DNMTL’s annuity receipt thereby impacting debt coverage indicators  Change in existing O&M and MM arrangement deteriorating the debt coverage indicators  Significant interest rate movements adversely affecting its debt coverage indicators

Detailed description of the key rating drivers Key Rating Strengths Operational annuity road project coupled with established track record of receipt of annuity from R&BD, GOG: DNMTL’s annuity road project achieved commercial operations date (COD) on December 2013 ahead of its scheduled COD. Further, DNMTL has an established track record of receipt of twelve semi-annual annuities (including one bonus annuity) from R&BD, GoG in a timely manner.

Low counterparty credit risk: The Concessioning Authority, R&BD, GoG is a department of GoG. R&BD, GoG department is the nodal agency and is in-charge of all the activities pertaining to planning, construction and maintenance of all categories of roads and all state government-owned buildings in Gujarat. The department receives capital and revenue support in the form of budgetary allocations, toll collections on certain stretches and grants from central government, state government & multilateral agencies. The Gujarat state continues to enjoy a strong revenue surplus since FY12.

Adequate debt coverage indicators: Annuity received from R&BD, GoG adequately covers the debt obligation of DNMTL. Further, as per the terms of sanction of term loan, repayment of term loan shall be due after 56 days from due date of receipt of annuity, thus providing comfort in case of some delay in the actual receipt of annuity. However, timely and need based support from SRPL in case of exigencies, shall remain crucial from the credit perspective.

Established track record of O&M contractor i.e., DBL in execution and maintenance of road projects: DBL had entered in to a stake sale agreement on March 26, 2018 in lieu of which 74% stake of DNMTL were transferred to SRPL. Post stake sale, DNMTL has entered into an O&M contract with SRPL which in turn has sub-contracted the O&M work to DBL. As per the terms of stake sale and sub-contract agreement, DBL shall be entitled to the toll collection proceeds of its 11 out of 14

1Complete definitions of the ratings assigned are available at www.careratings.com and in other CARE publications. 1 CARE Ratings Limited

Press Release

State Highway (SH) road SPVs (in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat) sold to SRPL while simultaneously being fully responsible for undertaking the requisite O&M and MM of all these road SPVs (including DNMTL); and any surplus or deficit arising thereof shall be attributed to DBL. Thereby, the SPV shall continue to benefit from the vast experience and established track record of DBL in O&M of roads.

Liquidity Analysis: Adequate Creation of DSRA and established track record of steady stream of annuity receipt from R&BD, GoG provides comfort: As per the terms of sanctioned debt, DNMTL has to maintain DSRA equivalent to six months of debt servicing in fund based or non-fund based form. DNMTL has created DSRA of Rs.12.91 crore in fund based form equivalent to the six months of debt servicing post expiry of DSRA bank guarantee. DNMTL has an established track record of receiving twelve annuities from R&BD, GoG, generally within 15 days from the due date while having gap of 56 days between annuity due date and debt repayment due date and thereby providing adequate liquidity cushion to DNMTL’s upcoming debt repayment.

Key Rating Weaknesses Inherent interest rate risk: The SPV remains susceptible to inherent interest rate risk over the long tenor of the loan considering variable rate of interest and presence of annual reset clause whereas its revenue stream in the form of annuities are fixed in nature. Consequently, any adverse movement in the interest rate may impact the debt coverage indicators of the company. Timely need-based support by SRPL in such an eventuality would be a key rating monitorable.

Inherent O&M risk along with performance risk related to O&M contractor: Although O&M requirement is relatively lower as the project stretch is part of low traffic state highway, DNMTL is still exposed to inherent O&M and MM risk attached to BOT projects as non-maintenance of the road as per the specified standards by DBL may result in delay or deduction in the receipt of its annuities. However, the responsibility of undertaking the requisite O&M and MM in DNMTL vests with DBL which has a considerable experience in such activity. Nevertheless, non-adherence to stipulated O&M and MM requirements by O&M contractor shall be a key rating sensitivity.

Analytical Approach: Standalone while factoring the track record and capability of the O&M contractor

Applicable Criteria: Criteria on assigning ‘outlook’ and ‘credit watch’ to Credit Ratings CARE’s Policy on Default Recognition Financial Ratios – Non Financial Sector Liquidity Analysis of Non-Financial Sector Entities Rating Methodology: Consolidation and Factoring Linkages in Ratings Rating Methodology – Annuity-based Road Projects

About the company DNMTL, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) originally incorporated by DBL, has entered into a 13 year Concession Agreement (CA) on January 05, 2012 with R&BD, GoG for the design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) on annuity basis of existing two lane Nadiad – Modasa road in the State of Gujarat (part of SH-59) from km 0.600 to km 109.00 i.e. 108.40 km. The project achieved commercial operations date (COD) ahead of schedule. In August 2017, DBL had signed a term sheet with Chhatwal Group Trust to divest its entire stake in DNMTL and its 23 other SPVs. DNMTL has received the no objection certificate (NOC) from its lender. Further, it has also received NOC from R&BD, GoG for divestment of stake to the tune of 74% while balance to be held by DBL. As on March 31, 2020, SRPL holds 74% shares of DNMTL.

Brief Financials (Rs. Crore) FY19 (A) FY20 (A) Total Operating Income 32.17 22.41 PBILDT 17.70 12.80 PAT 19.49 2.59 GCA 14.27 10.15 Overall Gearing (Times) 1.92 1.54 Interest Coverage (Times) 1.88 1.48 A: Audited

2 CARE Ratings Limited

Press Release

Note: DNMTL’s financials for FY19 and FY20 are as per IndAS applicable to it, wherein it has recognized financial assets as the present value of annuities receivable under its concession (discounted based on effective interest rate method) and interest income on these assets as it accrues during the period.

Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA: Not Applicable

Any other information: Not Applicable

Rating History (Last three years): Please refer Annexure-2

Covenants of rated facility: Detailed explanation of covenants of the rated facilities is given in Annexure-3

Complexity level of various facilities rated for this company: Annexure-4

Annexure-1: Details of Facilities

Date of Coupon Maturity Size of the Issue Name of the Facility Rating assigned along with Rating Outlook Issuance Rate Date (Rs. crore) Fund-based - LT-Term Loan - - July 2024 74.01 CARE A; Stable

Annexure-2: Rating History of last three years

Current Ratings Rating history Name of the Date(s) & Date(s) & Date(s) & Date(s) & Sr. Amount Bank Rating(s) Rating(s) Rating(s) Rating(s) No. Type Outstanding Rating Facilities assigned in assigned in assigned in assigned in (Rs. crore) 2020-2021 2019-2020 2018-2019 2017-2018 Fund-based 1)CARE A; 1)CARE A; 1)CARE A; CARE A; 1. - LT-Term LT 74.01 - Stable Stable Stable Stable Loan (04-Mar-20) (21-Dec-18) (25-Sep-17)

Annexure-3: Detailed explanation of covenants of the rated facilities

Name of the Facility Detailed explanation A. Financial covenants Not Applicable B. Non-financial covenants Not Applicable

Annexure 4: Complexity level of various facilities rated for this Company

Sr. No. Name of the Facility Complexity Level 1. Fund-based - LT-Term Loan Simple

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument: CARE has classified instruments rated by it on the basis of complexity. This classification is available at www.careratings.com. Investors/market intermediaries/regulators or others are welcome to write to [email protected] for any clarifications.

3 CARE Ratings Limited

Press Release

Contact us Media Contact Mr. Mradul Mishra Contact no. - +91-22-6837 4424 Email ID - [email protected]

Analyst Contact Group Head Name - Mr. Maulesh Desai Group Head Contact no. - 079- 4026 5605 Group Head Email ID - [email protected]

Relationship Contact Name - Mr. Deepak Prajapati Contact no. - 079- 4026 5602 Email ID - [email protected]

About CARE Ratings: CARE Ratings commenced operations in April 1993 and over two decades, it has established itself as one of the leading credit rating agencies in . CARE is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and also recognized as an External Credit Assessment Institution (ECAI) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). CARE Ratings is proud of its rightful place in the Indian capital market built around investor confidence. CARE Ratings provides the entire spectrum of credit rating that helps the corporates to raise capital for their various requirements and assists the investors to form an informed investment decision based on the credit risk and their own risk-return expectations. Our rating and grading service offerings leverage our domain and analytical expertise backed by the methodologies congruent with the international best practices.

Disclaimer CARE’s ratings are opinions on the likelihood of timely payment of the obligations under the rated instrument and are not recommendations to sanction, renew, disburse or recall the concerned bank facilities or to buy, sell or hold any security. CARE’s ratings do not convey suitability or price for the investor. CARE’s ratings do not constitute an audit on the rated entity. CARE has based its ratings/outlooks on information obtained from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. CARE does not, however, guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. Most entities whose bank facilities/instruments are rated by CARE have paid a credit rating fee, based on the amount and type of bank facilities/instruments. CARE or its subsidiaries/associates may also have other commercial transactions with the entity. In case of partnership/proprietary concerns, the rating /outlook assigned by CARE is, inter -alia, based on the capital deployed by the partners/proprietor and the financial strength of the firm at present. The rating/outlook may undergo change in case of withdrawal of capital or the unsecured loans brought in by the partners/proprietor in addition to the financial performance and other relevant factors. CARE is not responsible for any errors and states that it has no financial liability whatsoever to the users of CARE’s rating. Our ratings do not factor in any rating related trigger clauses as per the terms of the facility/instrument, which may involve acceleration of payments in case of rating downgrades. However, if any such clauses are introduced and if triggered, the ratings may see volatility and sharp downgrades.

**For detailed Rationale Report and subscription information, please contact us at www.careratings.com

4 CARE Ratings Limited