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| Product | Quantum (Rs. Cr) | Long Term Rating | Short Term Rating |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 3000.00 | ACUITE AA- | Stable | Reaffirmed | - |
| BOND | 200.00 | ACUITE AA+ | Stable | Reaffirmed | - |
| BOND | 205.64 | Provisional | ACUITE AA+ | Stable | Assigned | - |
| Total Outstanding | 3405.64 | - | - |
| Total Withdrawn | 0.00 | - | - |
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Rating Rationale |
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Acuite has reaffirmed the long-term rating of ''ACUITE AA-'' (read as ACUITE double A minus) on the Rs.3000.00 Cr. bank facilities of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). The Outlook is 'Stable'.
Rationale for Rating
The rating takes into consideration the consistent support from both the state and central government towards the development of the city, strong operating performance, a Y-o-Y increase in tax revenue and collection efficiency and a healthy cash surplus. Tamil Nadu continues to solidify its position as a manufacturing hub, with Chennai's economic base majorly supported by automobiles, telecommunications, software services. The corporation also has good infrastructure in place, a strong record in terms of geographic coverage and service delivery and has been performing well in the execution of its civic duties. However, the rating to be constrained by the elevated level of receivables of GCC. Acuite have considered all the four funds for analysis i.e. Municipal fund, Capital fund, Elementary Education fund and Earmarked fund. The rating on the existing listed bond of Rs. 200 cr. derives its strength from the Debt Service Reserve Account (DSRA), structured payment mechanism, escrow and Project Sustainability Grant Fund (PSGF). The final rating of the proposed bonds will derive its strength from the Debt Service Reserve Account (DSRA), structured payment mechanism, escrow and Upfront Fixed Deposit to be established as a cash collateral. |
| About the Company |
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Chennai based Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is the Oldest Municipal Institution in India established on the 29th September 1688. The corporation maintains roads, streetlights, flyovers, and also the city's cleanliness and hygiene levels. The Parliamentary Act of 1792 gave the Corporation power to levy Municipal Taxes in the City. The Municipal administration properly commenced from the Parliamentary Act, 1792 making provision for the good order and administration of the city. The Municipal Act has been amended introducing from time to time major changes in the constitution and powers of the Corporation. The Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919 (as amended) provides the basic statutory authority for the administration now. Chennai is named as ‘Detroit of Asia’ due to the presence of major automobile manufacturing units and allied industries around the city. The municipal Corporation is managed by the Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, I.A.S, and other additional and Deputy Commissioners include Dr. V.P. Jeyaseelan I.A.S , K. Karpagam I.A.S, V Siva Krishnamurthy I.A.S, and M Birathiviraj I.A.S.
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| Unsupported Rating |
| Acuite AA- | Stable |
| Analytical Approach |
| Acuité has considered the standalone business and financial risk profiles of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to arrive at the rating. |
| Key Rating Drivers |
| Strengths |
| Benefits from Chennai’s status as an administrative and political capital of Tamil Nadu
Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) provides civic services to Chennai city, the capital of Tamil Nadu. Being an administrative capital, Chennai is a base for all major state government offices. As a hub for major decision making, Chennai has enhanced the ability to attract investments from a wide range of sectors. Chennai city is located in the northeastern part of Tamil Nadu, and is the hub of various small, medium and largescale industries like automobiles, software services, medical, tourism, hardware manufacturing and financial services sectors which are major contributors to the economy of Tamil Nadu. Other important industries include petrochemicals, textiles, apparel and soon to become the EV (Electric Vehicle) hub of the country. A few largescale companies located in and around Chennai include Ashok Leyland Limited, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, MRF Limited, Redington India Limited, The India Cements Limited, Murugappa Group, Ford Motor Company, etc. Further, Chennai is the third largest software exporter in India and a resident for IT companies, including Infosys, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, to name a few. Acuité believes the significant employment opportunities generated by the varied range of industries located in and around Chennai are expected to lead to higher per capita income which augurs well for GCC. Chennai is also one of the cities under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). The purpose of AMRUT is to ensure every household to have access to tap water and sewerage connection, increase the amenity value of cities, and reduce pollution in the city. Acuité believes that GCC will continue to benefit significantly from its pivotal position as the capital city of the second largest economy in the country. Since the ongoing support from the state government will be critical for maintaining a stable credit profile, the credit rating of GoTN will also be a key monitorable. |
| Weaknesses |
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Weaknesses Significant buildup in receivables The receivables of the corporation have remained high resulting in a significant build-up of receivables. The debtor’s position stood at Rs. 3,295.23 Cr. i.e. 292 days as on March 31,2025 improved against Rs. 4,616.01 Cr. i.e. 464 days as on March 31, 2024. Trade receivables include property tax, professional tax, company tax, etc which are unpaid by the consumers. Acuité believes that any significant build-up in receivables beyond existing levels will be a key rating sensitivity factor. |
| Assessment of Adequacy of Credit Enhancement under various scenarios including stress scenarios (applicable for ratings factoring specified support considerations with or without the “CE” suffix) |
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Listed Bonds of Rs. 200 cr.
A Grant Fund of Government of Tamil Nadu and managed by Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) has created the term deposit in the name of PSGF equivalent to Rs.14.04 crore with the Escrow Banker of the municipal bond issue of the Corporation as Credit Enhancement Facility under World Bank assisted Tamil Nadu Resilient Urban Development Program (TNCRUDP) for the issuance of municipal bond (“PSGF Amount”). The said term deposit shall be kept as cash collateral in the form of security for bondholders for servicing of the bonds during the entire tenor of the bonds & lien marked with the Bond / Debenture Trustee. The Escrow Banker (on the instructions of the Bond / Debenture Trustee) will utilize the PSGF Amount In the case of insufficient funds in the Escrow Account /Interest Payment Account / Sinking Fund Account as mentioned as “Structured Payment Mechanism”. In case of occurrence of payment default or event of default, the PSGF Amount shall be utilized for meeting all the outstanding interest and principal obligations to the bond holders. Stress Case Scenario |
| Rating Sensitivities |
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| All Covenants |
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1. The Issuer shall till the Debentures are outstanding, ensure that the total amounts collected in the Escrow Account in any financial year shall be at least 2 (Two) times of the Annual Payments Amount. For the purpose of this term sheet, the term ‘Annual Payments’ shall, in respect of any financial year, mean the aggregate of:
2. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) shall mean the ratio of operating surplus to total debt servicing, which shall not be less than 1.50 times of operating surplus calculated as on 31st March for each financial year (starting from 31st March 2026 till the time bonds are outstanding) as below: DSCR = operating surplus / total debt service
i. Operating surplus calculated as the below: Operating Surplus = Total Income — Adjusted Expenditure
ii. Total debt service = interest payment of loans and bonds + transfers made to the sinking fund account towards principal repayment / redemption + principal repayment / redemption (Excluding those made out of the sinking fund account).
So long as the Eligibility Conditions are met, the Issuer shall be entitled to raise further financial indebtedness based on its cash flows including the cash flows through the Escrow Account, provided that it is clarified that nothing in this provision should be construed to permit the creation of any encumbrance over the security without the express prior written consent of the debenture trustee. For the purpose of this term sheet, the term ‘Eligibility Conditions’ shall mean the following conditions:
3. Other financial covenants as defined in the Transaction Document
The documents executed in relation to, or which are relevant to the Issue including: a) Placement Memorandum along with all annexures b) Debenture Trustee Agreement c) Escrow Agreement d) Debenture Trust Deed e) Deed of Hypothecation f) Issue Agreement g) Tripartite Agreements with NSDL and CDSL h) Issue Proceeds Agreement i) Any other agreement or document designated as such by the Debenture Trustee (acting on the instructions of the Majority Debenture Holders). 4. Additional Covenants Default in Payment (only for listed bonds): In case of default in payment of interest and /or principal redemption on the due dates, the Issuer shall pay an additional interest at the rate of 2% p.a. over the respective Coupon Rates of the Bonds for the defaulting period. 5. Negative Covenants (only for listed bonds): At all times until the Final Settlement Date, the Issuer shall not, without the prior written consent of the Debenture Trustee (acting upon the instructions of the Majority Debenture Holders): a) create any encumbrance over the Hypothecated Property; b) enter into any agreement or commitment of any sort, the terms of which conflicts with the pro visions of the Transaction Documents. c) Close the Collection Accounts and/or collect property tax from Zone 5 & 7 in any other account; d) Abolish, alter or reduce the Property tax from Zone 5 & 7 levied by the Issuer. e) undertake or enter into any transaction of merger, de-merger, consolidation, re-organisation, or compromise with its creditors. |
| Liquidity Position |
| Strong |
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GCC has strong liquidity marked by healthy net cash accruals of Rs. 313.49 Cr. in FY2025. Further, under the Section 152 in Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919, states priority payments for interest and re-payment of loans over other payment. The liquidity remains supported by the cash and bank balances of GCC stood at Rs. 146.76 Cr. as on March 31, 2025, and investments in the form of fixed deposits stood at Rs. 1,476.31 Cr. as on March 31, 2025. The current ratio stood at 2.09 times for FY 25. However, Acuité believes that these funds would be significantly utilized for infrastructural development and repayment of term loan facilities in the near to medium term.
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| Outlook - Stable |
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| Other Factors affecting Rating |
| None. |
| Particulars | Unit | FY 25 (Actual) | FY 24 (Actual) |
| Operating Income | Rs. Cr. | 4396.21 | 4436.35 |
| PAT | Rs. Cr. | (863.21) | (125.33) |
| PAT Margin | (%) | (19.64) | (2.82) |
| Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth | Times | 0.12 | 0.14 |
| PBDIT/Interest | Times | 4.87 | 10.42 |
| Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable) |
| Not Applicable |
| Any other information |
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Supplementary disclosures for Provisional Ratings Risks associated with the provisional nature of the credit rating |
| Applicable Criteria |
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• Default Recognition :- https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm • Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm • Explicit Credit Enhancements: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-49.htm • Urban Local Bodies : https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-57.htm |
| Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument |
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