Consultants of faulty detailed project reports culprits: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: Consultants involved in preparing defective detailed project reports (DPRs) are "culprits" behind accidents and deaths on highways, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said Wednesday, warning contractors of blacklisting and other consequences for compromising construction quality.

Addressing the industry body Ficci's 4th Edition of Tunnels & Bridges Conference 2026 in the national capital, Gadkari alleged that consultants prepared defective DPRs with the help of Google, causing loss of life and property.

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"Such poor quality DPR that today on road, 5 lakh accidents occur, and 1.8 lakh deaths, and all have problems of defective DPR," Gadkari said. The minister cautioned contractors against compromising construction quality after winning an infrastructure project. There will be a performance audit in addition to a financial audit, and contractors found wanting will be punished and black-listed, he said. Gadkari said poor-quality DPRs and construction compromises result in economic losses and road accidents.

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He also said ratings would be given to contractors and DPR consultants, based on which it would be decided whether they would be allowed to participate in future bids. Gadkari said his ministry would review existing provisions governing subcontracting of highway works to ensure contractual requirements are strictly adhered to and responsibility for quality and timely execution remains clearly with the principal contractor. He cited instances of contracts being awarded substantially below the estimated cost and subsequently being subcontracted through multiple layers, with each intermediary retaining a margin.