Nitin Gadkari calls for qualitative reforms in DPRs

Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has called for qualitative reforms in the detailed project reports (DPRs) being prepared for national highways, saying not a single project DPR in the last 10 years is without a black spot and poor quality of DPRs results in accidents and deaths on highways every year.

Addressing a seminar on ‘Quality of DPR and construction of highway projects’, Gadkari urged DPR consultants to come up with a transparent, time-bound and qualitative system for writing good quality DPRs as all road projects are bid on the basis of DPRs.

“Raise the cost of DPRs, if needed, as I feel good quality work can be obtained through good manpower,” he said, urging them to hire good engineers to prepare DPRs even if it requires hiring them at a high cost.


“The government is okay if you raise the DPR cost by 2% and make it qualitative as it will help us to save 25% of the construction cost and substantially reduce the number of litigation and arbitrations in the sector,” Gadkari said.

According to the minister, technical and financial qualification categories should be created to assess the DPR consultants as DPRs form the ‘heart’ of the entire project.

Gadkari suggested the need to look at creation of a project management consultancy and step-wise payment to DPR consultants to ensure quality output is delivered.

Admitting the inherent problems with the government policies as far as awarding of DPRs is concerned, Gadkary said his government is open to ideas on transformative changes in the way DPRs are written.

“Tell us the loopholes in the system and your expectations from the government and we will make necessary changes as we want to resolve this vicious problem,” Gakari said, suggesting performance audits for DPR consultants are more important than financial audits.