Speaking at the second edition of ‘TUNNELING INDIA: Emerging Trends and Opportunities’, organised by FICCI, Gadkari stated, “I should not use these words, but if there is any culprit in this, then it is the one who made the DPR. I apologise; I am using the word culprit.”
Gadkari pointed out that many DPR-making companies are owned by retired officials who rely heavily on Google searches rather than conducting thorough investigations. “These companies are often owned by retired officials who work based on Google searches without thorough investigation,” he remarked, highlighting the lack of diligence in the process.
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He also criticised the government’s tendering process, noting that officials often include technical and financial qualifications favouring larger companies. “Our government issues tenders after receiving the DPR. Ministers don’t grasp technical terms, so officials smartly include technical and financial qualifications,” Gadkari said.
He added, “Big companies tailor the financial and technical qualifications to their advantage,” underscoring the need to reform the tendering and DPR processes to ensure fair competition and high-quality infrastructure development.
Back in January this year, Nitin Gadkari expressed concerns over the poor quality of Detailed Project Reports prepared by consultants for the construction of highways, saying that no good work has been done in this regard in the last 10 years.
“In the last 10 years, no good work had been done in preparation of DPRs… I am worried about the poor quality of DPRs prepared by consultants,” the minister said.
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What is a Detailed Project Report?
A Detailed Project Report is a comprehensive document that outlines the technical, financial, and managerial aspects of a proposed project. It is typically prepared before the commencement of any major infrastructure or development project and serves as a blueprint for project execution.
The DPR provides a detailed analysis and roadmap for the project, helping stakeholders make informed decisions. DPRs are crucial for the success of large-scale infrastructure projects, such as highways, railways, power plants, and urban development projects.
The accuracy and thoroughness of a DPR can significantly impact the project’s success, ensuring that it is completed on time, within budget, and meets the intended objectives.