Last Updated on August 20, 2026 1:11 am by BIZNAMA NEWS
AMN
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that the government’s foremost priority is to provide high-quality infrastructure while maintaining cost-effectiveness. He emphasized that there can be no compromise on the quality of infrastructure development. Mr Gadkari made these remarks while addressing the fourth edition of the Tunnels and Bridges Conference 2026 in New Delhi. He said that his Ministry would review the existing provisions governing subcontracting of highway works to ensure that contractual requirements are strictly adhered to and that responsibility for quality and timely execution remains clearly with the principal contractor.
Mr Gadkari added that the ministry was already assessing contractors on the basis of their performance and had begun extending the exercise to consultants preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), with tender eligibility proposed to be linked to such performance assessments. Mr Gadkari stressed the need for detailed and robust Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to ensure better infrastructure and meet international standards.
The Minister said that poor-quality DPRs and inadequate geological data often lead to cost overruns, delays and safety concerns. Outlining the challenges of construction in Himalayan terrains, including landslides, extreme weather, natural hazards and logistical difficulties, the Minister said that constructing tunnels and bridges in the Himalayas is more challenging than in black rock regions. Mr Gadkari highlighted the importance of precast methodology, advanced Tunnel Boring Machines, better survey and monitoring, and early-warning systems to prevent failures. The Ministry is preparing tunnel tenders worth 2 to 2.5 lakh crore rupees.