In view of delay in several road projects owing to land acquisition issues, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) henceforth decided to start road projects only after acquiring substantial land.
The authority would also ensure that environmental clearance is in place before starting projects. Through this move, NHAI wants to ensure that once a project starts on ground there is no brake and the objective is timely completion of works.
NHAI sources indicate that small stretches of incomplete roads jeopardize the entire project. The authority has at least eight months after award of project to get possession of around 70 percent of required land.
It is learnt that the authority has been receiving flack for failing to hand over land in time resulting in delay in completion and cost overrun.
Several banks are also learnt to have said that they won’t finance projects until there is 100 percent land acquisition.