The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as a part of its dispute settlement mechanism has resolved 49 pending claims for Rs 105.5 billion from 26 contractors/ concessionaries for final packages worth of 9.58 billion.

In its 101st meeting, the NHAI Board resolved various disputes involving three contract packages worth over Rs 23.48 billion for an amount of over Rs 2.71 billion only.

"All these settlements are made amicably after negotiations with the parties concerned and after screening of these proposals through three tiers. These include a committee of three chief general managers, an Independent Settlement Advisory Committee (ISAC) and a final consideration / approval by the executive committee/board of the NHAI," it said.

This mechanism was approved by the NHAI Board in November 2012, for speedy resolution of long pending disputes in EPC and BOT projects.

It has recently been decided under instructions from the Minister for road transport, highways and shipping to expedite the process of one time settlement of old disputes pending in arbitration or in courts to take forward various pending projects.