The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) may not invite any bids for road projects until the process of land acquisition and shifting of utilities are completed and in-principle forest clearance obtained. Further, the authority will not commence work on structures, such as flyovers, bridges, and rail over bridges, until it has 100% of the land. This is among the new norms that the NHAI has set in its bid to end the trend of huge delays in highway construction on account of lack of required land, statutory clearances and shifting of utilities such as water and gas pipelines and power transmission lines. Sources said 80% of the highway projects are delayed due to land-related issues. Till now there has been a practice of awarding highway projects, and also commencing work, without having the required land and other necessary clearances. This often leads to litigation and road developers raising claims on the NHAI for its failure. Because of the new norms, NHAI did not award a single project in April