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A lot of long-term funding is needed in case of infrastructure projects, and some of the avenues of raising this money are through infrastructure bonds and debt offered by organizations that are linked to such projects. Such bonds and debts have gained significance among the investors who want to diversify their fixed-income portfolio and participate in the long-term growth story of India’s infrastructure.
Apart from that, you might have seen terms like 54 EC bonds, NHAI bonds, and InvIT-linked debt. All these terms have something to do with financing infrastructure projects but have very different features. The knowledge of the same is crucial before making your investments.
Infrastructure Bonds and InvIT-Linked Debt
In this tutorial, we will cover the basics of infrastructure bonds and InvIT-linked debts and discuss the considerations investors should keep in mind before making such a long-duration investment.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Nothing mentioned here should be taken as investment advice. Investments in bonds involve credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and market risk. Please read the offer documents carefully and consult a financial advisor if required before making any investments.
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What Are Infrastructure Bonds?
Infrastructure bonds refer to the debt securities used to finance infrastructure projects like the construction of roads, railways, airports, renewable energy, electricity transmission networks, seaports, and urban infrastructure developments.
They can be issued by entities that have been formed under government sponsorship, PSUs, financial institutions, and private companies engaged in infrastructure projects.
As in the case of any bonds, the investors lend money to the issuing entity and get interest income according to the terms and conditions laid down in the bonds.
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What are 54 EC Bonds?
One of the most popular categories of infrastructure bonds in India is 54 EC Capital Gains Bonds.
Such bonds can be issued only by certain designated government-sponsored bodies, which include organizations like NHAI, REC, PFC, and IRFC, which have been designated under section 54 EC of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
By investing in these bonds within the prescribed time period, investors who qualify for the conditions laid out under Section 54 EC will be able to get capital gains tax exemption.
The eligibility criteria and benefit of tax exemption depend on the provisions of the income tax Act.
What Is InvIT-Linked Debt?
The Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) is an investment product that consists of existing infrastructure projects generating steady cash flows.
Some InvITs and other entities associated with InvITs can issue listed debt securities or NCDs to finance existing infrastructure assets.
Though both instruments have some relation to infrastructure projects, the two vary significantly in nature in that bondholders get an interest based on the bond terms, while InvIT unitholders get distributions from the InvIT.
Knowing the difference between the two is crucial.
Why Is It a Long-Term Investment Instrument?
Infrastructural projects tend to have long-lasting operations; hence, infrastructure bonds and other debt instruments tend to have mid- to long-term maturities in order to align the financing period with that of the underlying assets.
Longer-term bonds may be appropriate for those investors whose investment period matches the maturity period of the instrument. But long-term bonds may be more rate-sensitive than short-term ones.
What Should Investors Evaluate Before Investing?
Instead of focusing only on the coupon rate or tax benefit, investors should evaluate multiple aspects of the bond.
| Factor | Why It Matters |
| Issuer Profile | Understand who is issuing the bond and their financial strength. |
| Credit Rating | Provides an opinion on the issuer’s creditworthiness but should not be the sole deciding factor. |
| Bond Tenure | Ensure it matches your investment horizon. |
| Interest Payment Frequency | Monthly, quarterly, annual, or cumulative options may differ. |
| Liquidity | Some listed bonds may be easier to trade than others. |
| Tax Treatment | Tax implications vary depending on the type of bond and applicable laws. |
Reviewing these factors together provides a more comprehensive understanding of the investment.
Infrastructure Bonds vs 54EC Bonds vs InvIT-Linked Debt
Although these terms are sometimes used together, they represent different investment products.
| Feature | Infrastructure Bonds | 54EC Bonds | InvIT-Linked Debt |
| Primary Purpose | Infrastructure financing | Capital gains tax exemption (subject to conditions) | Financing infrastructure-related entities |
| Typical Tenure | Medium to Long | As prescribed under applicable regulations | Medium to Long |
| Tax Benefits | Depends on the instrument | Available only under Section 54EC conditions | Depends on applicable tax laws |
| Listed | May be listed or unlisted | Generally not exchange-traded during lock-in | Many issues may be listed |
Each instrument has its own features, risks, and suitability depending on an investor’s objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The infrastructure bonds are debt instruments that are used for raising money for infrastructure-related projects such as roads, electricity, railroads, renewable energy projects, and urban infrastructure.
The 54EC bonds are capital gains bonds defined under Section 54EC of the Income Tax Act. The eligible investors can avail themselves of an exemption from the capital gains tax as per the conditions stipulated.
No, InvIT-linked debt securities are the bonds or debt securities, whereas InvIT units are the units that signify ownership in the Infrastructure Investment Trusts. Both of these have their respective rights and risks involved.
No. These are not risk-free; rather, like any other bond, there are associated risks of interest rate risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk.
Final Thoughts
While infrastructure bonds, 54EC bonds, and InvIT-related bonds all form part of the mechanism that facilitates the financing of long-term infrastructure projects in India, there are differences in the objectives of each type of bond. While certain investors may consider the tax efficiency of 54EC bonds, other investors may prefer to invest in fixed-income infrastructure bonds and may even prefer the liquidity offered by those infrastructure bonds listed on stock exchanges. Instead of making the choice of which bond to invest in purely on the basis of yield or tax implications, one needs to consider the underlying bond carefully.
Disclaimer
Fixed returns do not constitute guaranteed or assured returns. Investments in corporate debt securities and municipal debt securities/securitized debt instruments are subject to credit risks, market risks, and default risks, including delay and/or default in payment. Read all the offer-related documents carefully. This blog/article should not be construed as financial advice or as an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security or any products/services of/on GoldenPi or any product/services of its third-party client(s). For a detailed calculation of YTM, visit our website. T&C’s Apply.
