The Delhi High Court directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to keep in abeyance its Policy Circular No. 18.109/2025 dated September 13, 2025, which had unilaterally revised the linking factor for converting WPI (2011–12) to WPI (2004–05) from 1.641 to 1.561. The writ petitions filed by the Highways Operators Association (India) (HOAI) and Roadstar Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) challenged the circular as arbitrary, noting that NHAI had itself adopted the factor of 1.641 in 2018 and could not alter it without basis or stakeholder consultation.
Taking note of the submissions and its earlier oral observations that the change appeared prima facie arbitrary, the Court recorded NHAI’s statement that it would invite and consider representations from stakeholders before taking a final decision. The Court accordingly directed NHAI to hear all concerned parties, examine the issue comprehensively, and pass a reasoned order after due consideration.
Appearances:
HOAI was represented by Senior Advocate Gopal Subramaniam, assisted by a Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas team led by Raunak Dhillon (Partner)with Uday Khare (Partner), Isha Malik (Principal Associate), Nihaad Dewan, Niharika Shukla, Angela Dua, and Anusha Sarkar.
RIIT was represented by Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, assisted by the same Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas team.