NEW DELHI: Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday criticised detailed project report (DPR) makers for not adhering to proper procedures in the construction of highways, roads, and tunnels across the country.
He was speaking at second edition of ‘Tunneling India: Emerging trends and opportunities’, organised by FICCI. Gadkari said: “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 that I am using the word ‘culprit’. The companies that make DPRs are owned by retired government officials. They work on Google from their homes without any detailed investigation.”
The minister added: “Our government has such a system that after getting the DPR, they only do the work of issuing the tender. Because the ministers are not the ones to understand technical terms, technical and financial qualifications are also wisely included by the officials.”
He expressed concern over the involvement of certain companies in manipulating the tender process, saying: “I have no hesitation in saying that big companies get these financial and technical qualifications done as per their own calculation,” while also clarifying that not all companies are involved in these manipulations. Gadkari also highlighted the influence of government officials in the decision-making process.