Gadkari urges PPP shift for better highways

07 Sep 2023 CW Team

Gadkari noted that the quality of road construction in EPC contracts executed by various highway agencies is unsatisfactory while emphasising that projects following the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) and Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) formats tend to yield better quality work. He urged agencies to expedite project delivery, acknowledging the urgency in light of upcoming elections.

Union Road Transport Secretary Anurag Jain also addressed the issue of construction quality, attributing the problem to poor workmanship. He questioned why contractors fail to deliver good quality work despite receiving payments. Jain called on officials to avoid the blame game and emphasised the need for stringent quality control measures. He highlighted the importance of reviewing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and closely monitoring independent engineers. Jain also stressed the significance of conducting checks at contractor-operated laboratories to ensure high-quality work.

Minister of State for Highways, Gen (retd) V K Singh, acknowledged the significant progress in highway development but noted that even minor issues often result in criticism for highway agencies.

During the workshop, Gadkari instructed officials to develop a roadmap for the immediate execution of projects worth up to Rs 3 trillion. He also warned of consequences for project delays and issues, emphasising the need for swift resolution. Gadkari urged officials to respond to public concerns and address project-related problems promptly to avoid negative media coverage, highlighting the impact of social media in today's environment.

If you want to learn more about Indian Roads, make sure you sign-up for the India Roads Conference at the India Construction Festival on October 12th in New Delhi

Or call Deepali on 82919 95574....

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has raised concerns about the quality of construction in highway projects funded entirely by the government or executed through the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. Gadkari has called on the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other highway ministry divisions to prioritise projects conducted under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. In PPP projects, contractors either recover their investments through toll collection or receive payments from highway agencies over an extended period, which fosters greater accountability for construction quality among private players.Gadkari noted that the quality of road construction in EPC contracts executed by various highway agencies is unsatisfactory while emphasising that projects following the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) and Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) formats tend to yield better quality work. He urged agencies to expedite project delivery, acknowledging the urgency in light of upcoming elections.Union Road Transport Secretary Anurag Jain also addressed the issue of construction quality, attributing the problem to poor workmanship. He questioned why contractors fail to deliver good quality work despite receiving payments. Jain called on officials to avoid the blame game and emphasised the need for stringent quality control measures. He highlighted the importance of reviewing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and closely monitoring independent engineers. Jain also stressed the significance of conducting checks at contractor-operated laboratories to ensure high-quality work.Minister of State for Highways, Gen (retd) V K Singh, acknowledged the significant progress in highway development but noted that even minor issues often result in criticism for highway agencies.During the workshop, Gadkari instructed officials to develop a roadmap for the immediate execution of projects worth up to Rs 3 trillion. He also warned of consequences for project delays and issues, emphasising the need for swift resolution. Gadkari urged officials to respond to public concerns and address project-related problems promptly to avoid negative media coverage, highlighting the impact of social media in today's environment. If you want to learn more about Indian Roads, make sure you sign-up for the India Roads Conference at the India Construction Festival on October 12th in New Delhi Click HERE and reserve your seats! Or call Deepali on 82919 95574....

Infrastructure Transport

20 Jun 2025

Dassault To Build Falcon Jets In India With Reliance

Reliance Infrastructure Ltd鈥檚 subsidiary, Reliance Aerostructure, has signed an agreement with France鈥檚 Dassault Aviation to manufacture Falcon 2000 business jets in India, with the first batch expected to roll out from its Nagpur facility by 2028. This marks the first time a Falcon aircraft will be entirely built outside France.The announcement sent Reliance Infrastructure shares surging, hitting the 5 per cent upper circuit on the BSE. Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Group, hailed the agreement as a 鈥渟ymbol of India鈥檚 technological and manufacturing strength鈥�, adding that it aims..

Infrastructure Urban

20 Jun 2025

INDEA Lays Foundation for India鈥檚 First Auto Design School

The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), the country鈥檚 first institute focused solely on automobile design and management, held its foundation stone ceremony at XLRI Delhi-NCR. The event was graced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who virtually unveiled the stone as Chief Guest.INDEA aims to become a premier talent hub, driving innovation in the Indian automotive sector. The school will focus on advanced design, mobility solutions, and sustainable practices, playing a vital role in shaping India鈥檚 transition from a cost-driven to a quality-led a..

Infrastructure Transport

20 Jun 2025

Karnataka Launches Global Innovation Hub at Airport City

The Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL) and ANSR, has launched a global innovation hub named District I at Bengaluru Airport City's business park. The initiative aims to elevate India鈥檚 innovation ecosystem to a global scale by fostering collaboration among startups, academia, enterprises, and government bodies.District I will serve as a platform for deep-tech entrepreneurship, enterprise innovation, and commercialisation of academic research. It brings together Global Capability Centres (GCCs), IT firms, corporate labs, startups, venture capi..