India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced that pension and sovereign wealth funds can now directly bid for greenfield toll-road projects. This decision aims to enhance private investment in infrastructure and alleviate the burden on public finances. The government has relaxed eligibility criteria for build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects, allowing institutional investors to be evaluated based on financial strength, while technical qualifications can be fulfilled through hired partners post-award. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase the share of BOT projects in total highway awards from less than 5% to 25% over the next two years. The BOT model involves private entities financing, constructing, and operating road projects for 20-30 years before transferring ownership back to the government. The shift in policy comes as the government seeks to sustain economic growth amid rising infrastructure costs, having spent over ₹10 lakh crore (approximately $1.2 trillion USD) annually on infrastructure. Despite challenges in meeting construction targets, the Ministry remains committed to awarding and constructing 10,000 kilometers of national highways by 2026-27.