New Delhi, March 29 -- State-run infrastructure behemoth National Highways Authority of India Ltd (NHAI) appears to have hit upon a new way to clear its legal disputes as it struggles to manage a massive debt pile-up of Rs.2.76 trillion.

NHAI's previous legal strategy to fastrack contractual disputes by using more arbitration has fallen flat, stakeholders say, with the result that pending arbitration claims at the end of FY23 have ballooned to over Rs.1.16 trillion.

Now, it has set its eyes on the Society for Affordable Redressal of Disputes (Sarod), a body it created 12 years ago for speedy arbitration in the roadways sector.

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