Epic Concesiones 2 Private Limited (EC2PL) and Infrastructure Yield Plus (IYP), acting through their investment manager EAAA India Alternatives Limited (EIAL), have submitted a notice to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for approval of a significant acquisition in the road infrastructure sector.
The proposed transaction involves the acquisition of 100 percent equity in 11 road special purpose vehicles (SPVs) currently owned by Ashoka Concessions Limited (ACL) and Ashoka Buildcon Limited (ABL).
The acquisition, structured in two phases, comprises an equity transaction where EC2PL will take full ownership of the Target SPVs, and a debt transaction where IYP will acquire non-convertible debentures from the sellers. The deal falls under Section 5(a)(i)(A) of the Competition Act, 2002, classifying it as an acquisition requiring CCI’s scrutiny.
EC2PL is a private company specializing in infrastructure project ownership and operation. IYP, consisting of two investment schemes (IYP II and IYP IIA), functions under a SEBI-registered Category I Infrastructure Alternative Investment Fund. Its investment manager, EIAL, is an indirect subsidiary of Edelweiss Financial Services Limited.
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The Target SPVs operate road and highway projects across India under government concessions.
Given that each asset functions in a defined geographic area, the applicants argue that the transaction does not create competition concerns. While the market for “operation and management of highways in India” has been referenced in past regulatory assessments, the parties maintain that this acquisition does not warrant specific market delineation.
If approved, the acquisition will further consolidate EC2PL and IYP’s footprint in India’s road infrastructure sector, reinforcing their role as key players in highway operations and management. The CCI’s decision will determine the next steps in this strategic investment.