76 national highway projects of about Rs 62k cr face inordinate delays
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

76 national highway projects of about Rs 62k cr face inordinate delays

As many as 76 national highway projects of the National Highways Authority of India amounting to around Rs 62,000 crore are facing delays related to land acquisition and statutory clearances even after four years.

The highway projects are yet incomplete due to land acquisition, statutory clearances, utility shifting delays and the issues of cash flow to the contractors and highway builders.

Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the officials to speed up the delayed NH projects and release dues to the contractors in time.

Gadkari asked the officials to be more time-sensitive while taking decisions to avoid delays. NHAI has set a target to complete 87% of the delayed projects by June 2022, while the remaining 13% would take a longer time.

Officially, in FY 19-20 and FY 20-21, NHAI has bid out 236 projects of 8,091 km long with Rs 2.59 lakh crore investment. But still, work is yet to begin in 93 projects because of the non-availability of encumbrance-free land and transfer of land ownership by the respective state governments.

Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) is also a major reason for the delay in work commencement, and the private players are still struggling to tie up finances from finance providers.

A parliamentary panel also reported a delay in 888 NH project completion of 27,665 km long and asked the ministry to prioritise the delayed projects.

NHAI has informed the ministry that out of the 203 cases that have been referred to the conciliation committees, 116 have been solved. These issues contain Rs 37,287 crore claims from the contractors and Rs 7,281 counter-claim from NHAI. These issues have been concluded at Rs 10,870 crore.

Image Source

As many as 76 national highway projects of the National Highways Authority of India amounting to around Rs 62,000 crore are facing delays related to land acquisition and statutory clearances even after four years. The highway projects are yet incomplete due to land acquisition, statutory clearances, utility shifting delays and the issues of cash flow to the contractors and highway builders. Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the officials to speed up the delayed NH projects and release dues to the contractors in time. Gadkari asked the officials to be more time-sensitive while taking decisions to avoid delays. NHAI has set a target to complete 87% of the delayed projects by June 2022, while the remaining 13% would take a longer time. Officially, in FY 19-20 and FY 20-21, NHAI has bid out 236 projects of 8,091 km long with Rs 2.59 lakh crore investment. But still, work is yet to begin in 93 projects because of the non-availability of encumbrance-free land and transfer of land ownership by the respective state governments. Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) is also a major reason for the delay in work commencement, and the private players are still struggling to tie up finances from finance providers. A parliamentary panel also reported a delay in 888 NH project completion of 27,665 km long and asked the ministry to prioritise the delayed projects. NHAI has informed the ministry that out of the 203 cases that have been referred to the conciliation committees, 116 have been solved. These issues contain Rs 37,287 crore claims from the contractors and Rs 7,281 counter-claim from NHAI. These issues have been concluded at Rs 10,870 crore. Image Source

Next Story
Real Estate

Dharavi Rising

Dharavi, Asia’s largest informal settlement, stands on the cusp of a historic transformation. With an ambitious urban renewal project finally taking shape, millions of residents are looking ahead with hope. But delivering a project of this scale brings immense challenges – from land acquisition to rehabilitate ineligible residents outside Dharavi and rehabilitation to infrastructure development. It also requires balancing commercial goals with deep-rooted social impact. At the helm is SVR Srinivas, IAS, CEO & Officer on Special Duty, Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), Government..

Next Story
Real Estate

MLDL Records 20.4% Growth in Pre-Sales

Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited (MLDL), the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group, announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. In line with INDAS 115, the company recognises revenues using the completion of contract method. Key highlights FY25: Consolidated sales (Residential and IC&IC) of Rs 32.99 billion. Gross development value (GDV) additions in FY25 were Rs 1.81 trillion compared to Rs 440 billion in FY24 (~4x growth). Residential pre-sales of Rs 28.04 billion in FY25, reflecting 20.4% growth o..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

UCSL Delivers India's First Green Cargo Vessel to Norway

In a landmark achievement for Indian shipbuilding and the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative, Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), has delivered the first of six next-generation green cargo vessels to Norway-based Wilson Ship Management AS, Europe’s largest short-sea shipping operator. The 3,800 DWT vessel, named Wilson Eco 1, was handed over during a ceremony at New Mangalore Port. The delivery is part of a Rs 5.06 billion project supported by Norway’s green maritime funding programme, marking India's entry into the European eco-friendly ca..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?