40 projects at a capital cost of about Rs 47,000 crore havebeen awarded. The length of the highways is 1,330 km. NHAI intends to award4,500 km of projects in the current financial year, and is likely to exceed thetarget. Around 80% to 90% of land acquisition, shifting of utilities, andobtaining required clearances from various forest and environment authoritieshas been completed.
In highway construction, major costs include civil work,land acquisition, and other pre-construction activities.
NHAI seems to be in competition with itself with the currentallotment of projects in the first quarter of the current financial yearexceeding the entire previous financial year by 1.6 times and the year beforethat by 3.5 times.
NHAI fully appreciates the financial scarcity that hasbefallen on most individuals to the pandemic of COVID-19, and has been prompt inreleasing payments via online channels, even though the physical offices wereclosed.
Specifically, in March 2020, the state-run company releasedabout Rs 10,000 crore with no payments remaining pending. Similarly, more thanRs 15,000 crore was disbursed in the first quarter of this financial year. Inaddition, to help maintain regular cash flow, monthly payments to contractorsis being maintained.
Roads, and the care of the human resources involved in thesame, will not only lead to the growth of the road sector but also the nationand its economy.