Rating Rationale
September 11, 2020 | Mumbai
Akash Infra Projects Limited
Long-term rating downgraded to 'CRISIL BB/Stable'; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.80 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BB/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BB+/Negative')
Short Term RatingCRISIL A4+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has downgraded its rating on the long term bank facilities of Akash Infra Projects Limited (AIPL) to 'CRISIL BB/Stable' from 'CRISIL BB+/Negative' and reaffirmed the short term rating at 'CRISIL A4+'.
 
The downgrade reflects the moderation on AIPL's business profile along with weakening of liquidity profile. During fiscal 2020, AIPL's revenue was lower than expectation at Rs.73 cr, declining by 25% over previous year amidst slower work execution and lockdown disruption. The gross current assets (GCA) rose to more than 500 days with decline in return on capital employed (ROCE) to below 5% during the year. While company has current unexecuted order book of Rs.156 cr, revenue growth and improvement in business profile is expected to remain muted. While APIL's capital structure remains moderate with leverage below 1 times, its liquidity profile has deteriorated with continued high working capital intensity leading to fully drawn bank limits.
 
The ratings reflect AIPL's established track record in the construction industry, and a moderate capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by modest scale of operations, large working capital requirement, segmental and geographic concentration risk in revenue, and exposure to intense competition and risks related to tender-based business.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established track record in the construction industry
AIPL has been undertaking road projects for several local bodies, including Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority and the Roads and Buildings Department (Gujarat), for more than two decades. Despite being blacklisted by AMC, AIPL currently has unexecuted orders worth Rs 156 crore, assuring near-term revenue visibility.
 
* Moderate capital structure
AIPL had a networth and gearing of Rs 77 crore and 0.25 times respectively, as on March 31, 2020. Debt protection metrics were adequate, with net cash accrual to total debt and interest coverage ratios of 0.14 time and 2.26 times, respectively, in fiscal 2020.
 
Weaknesses
* Modest scale of operations
Revenues were modest at about Rs 73 crore in fiscal 2020 declining from Rs. 96 cr in the previous fiscal.
 
* Large working capital requirement
Large working capital requirement is reflected in high GCA over 500 days as on March 31, 2020. This is driven by high debtors, retention money, security deposit and fixed deposit margin money for bank guarantee. The GCA has progressively increased in last couple of years driven by long stuck debtors with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
 
* Segmental and geographic concentration risk in revenue
Unlike other construction companies that are present in multiple segments (such as commercial, residential, industrial, and infrastructure), AIPL focuses only on road construction. This, along with geographic concentration in Gujarat, restricts growth opportunities.
 
* Risks related to tender-based business and intense competition
Since the entire income'primarily derived from government agencies'is tender-driven, turnover depends on the ability to successfully bid for orders. Also, the road construction and maintenance industry is highly fragmented, which may continue to constrain pricing power and profitability.
Liquidity Stretched

Bank limit utilisation is high around 95 percent for the past twelve months ended July 2020. Annual cash accrual around Rs 3 cr shall however be sufficient against term debt obligation of Rs 0.4 cr over the medium term. Low gearing and moderate net worth support it's financial flexibility, and provides  the financial cushion available in case of any adverse conditions or downturn in the business. However the high working capital intensity and blockage of capital in AMC debtors continue to constrain current liquidity.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes AIPL's working capital requirement shall continue to constrain the credit risk profile; however, the company should remain supported by the extensive experience of the promoters, and the adequate capitalisation.
 
Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward factors
* Prudent working capital management, with GCAs moderating to below 250 days
* Realisation of outstanding debtors with AMC
 
Downward factors
* Pressure on topline or margin leading to moderation in cash accruals to below Rs. 2 cr
* Deterioration in working capital cycle.

About the Company

Gandhinagar (Gujarat)-based AIPL was set up in 1999 as a partnership (Akash Builders) between Mr Yoginkumar H Patel and Mr Ambusinh P Gol; the firm got converted into a private-limited company within two months. The company constructs and repairs roads in Gujarat. Operations were diversified in the hospitality business in 2007 by procuring a three-year lease for Pathikasharam, a three-star hotel in Gandhinagar, from the Government of Gujarat. In fiscal 2017, the company raised equity through an SME-IPO and was reconstituted as AIPL.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2020 2019
Operating income Rs.Crore 73 96
Reported profit after tax Rs.Crore 1 2
PAT margins % 1.1 1.8
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.25 0.29
Interest coverage Times 2.3 2.5

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size
(Rs.Cr)
Complexity Level Rating assigned
With outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 37 NA CRISIL A4+
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 20 NA CRISIL BB/Stable
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 23 NA CRISIL BB/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  43.00  CRISIL BB/Stable  28-01-20  CRISIL BB+/Negative      24-10-18  CRISIL BB+/Stable  24-11-17  CRISIL BB+/Stable  CRISIL BBB/Negative 
                    14-08-17  CRISIL BBB/Watch Negative   
                    24-07-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  37.00  CRISIL A4+  28-01-20  CRISIL A4+      24-10-18  CRISIL A4+  24-11-17  CRISIL A4+  CRISIL A3+ 
                    14-08-17  CRISIL A3+/Watch Negative   
                    24-07-17  CRISIL A3+   
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Name of Lender Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee Oriental Bank of Commerce 37 CRISIL A4+
Cash Credit Oriental Bank of Commerce 20 CRISIL BB/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility Not Applicable 23 CRISIL BB/Stable

This Annexure has been updated on 26-Sep-2021 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 30-Jul-2021 received from the rated entity 

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Construction Industry
Rating Criteria for Engineering Sector
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
The Rating Process

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