New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI):India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) is targeting annual sanctions of Rs 75,000 crore in FY26, a 30 per cent jump over last year, as the removal of key lending restrictions opens up a 'very good opportunity' to expand its role in infrastructure financing, Managing Director Rohit Rishi said on Friday.

'Now, after this performance, I feel that in the coming time, there are many opportunities for us to improve growth and profit. The government's vision and the dream of a developed India has many opportunities for us to play our role actively,' Rishi said at a conference to announce IIFCL's FY2025-26 results.

IIFCL posted its highest-ever annual sanctions of Rs 57,680 crore in FY 2025-26, up about 13 per cent year-on-year, while annual disbursements rose 16 per cent to Rs 32,972 crore, reflecting sustained momentum in infrastructure financing. Cumulative disbursements reached approximately Rs 1.89 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026. On a consolidated basis, disbursements crossed Rs 2.14 lakh crore, underscoring the company's growing contribution towards India's infrastructure expansion. Asset quality also improved sharply, with gross NPA at 0.40 per cent versus 1.10 per cent last year, and Net NPA turning zero 'after a long time in this organization,' Rishi said.

A major tailwind is the April 15 removal of the safety rule that capped IIFCL's exposure at 20 per cent of project cost. 'After that, we can take a bigger share in the projects. We can underwrite very big projects and then down-sell them to other lenders. This will increase our loan book and increase our non-interest fee-based income,' he said. The company has already approved loans worth Rs 38,000 crore since the restriction was lifted and expects to 'easily cross' Rs 1 lakh crore in cumulative repayments this year. Disbursements are targeted to grow by at least 20 per cent in FY26.

IIFCL is also tapping emerging sectors. 'For example, in data centers, we already have got a few inquiries. We are also doing some urban development projects, some social infrastructure projects, that is hotels, schools, colleges, hospitals, etc. And in the renewable sector, we already have a very good loan book,' Rishi said. The pipeline in conventional sectors like roads, ports and airports remains strong.

To support expansion, IIFCL is recruiting lateral talent in risk management, credit appraisal and technology development. 'We are also working on developing the appropriate risk management tools and guardrails as we expand our loan book,' the MD added.

'The allocation of the budget for the infrastructure is growing consistently at the rate at which our loan book has grown by 17-18 per cent in the last 5 years,' he said, noting that the policy push positions IIFCL to play a 'more vibrant and bigger role in the sphere of infrastructure.' (ANI)