New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS): State-run National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Wednesday said that it has awarded projects for a cumulative length of 1,330 km in FY21 despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

The projects awarded so far in the first half of the current FY are 1.6 times higher than the 828 km awarded in FY20 and 3.5 times higher than the 373 km awarded in FY19 during the same period, it said.

"For the awarded projects, the NHAI has already completed at least 80 to 90 percent of the land acquisition, actioned utilities shifting and has obtained required clearances from various forest and environment authorities," the NHAI said in a statement.

"During April to September 2020, the NHAI has awarded a total of 40 projects covering 1330 km length."

As per the statement, the capital cost of these 40 projects is Rs 47,289 crore which includes the cost of civil work, land acquisition, and other pre-construction activities.

"The NHAI has set a target of awarding 4,500 km of projects during the current financial year and is likely to exceed the target," the statement said.