The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has started a mandatory training course on ‘Preparation of Feasibility Study and DPR for Highway Projects’ for personnel engaged by consultancy firms for preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs). The programme is aimed at improving the overall quality of DPRs in development of highways so that safe, resilient and sustainable roads are created. The training would also focus on use of new or alternate material and technology and the Prime Minister Gati Shakti Integrated Master Plan for deciding the alignment. The Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE) has conducted the first training programme for the personnel of consultants between September 5-10, the ministry said in a statement. The training included overview of DPR preparation, hydrological investigations and studies, traffic studies, traffic demand estimation and realistic forecasting, geometrical design of highways, modern topography survey, data collection, and many other aspects. The DPR consultants will have to demonstrate the training undertaken by its key personnel in their Curriculum Vitae (CV) as part of their technical qualifications. The course has been designed to cover all the technical and non-technical aspects involved in the preparation of DPRs. In the training programme various challenges and issues of concerns such as competency and extent of involvement of key personnel, finalization of alignment, accuracy of survey data and design, proper preparation of the schedules, pre-construction activities and various statutory clearances would be deliberated upon. See also: Gadkari launches highway projects worth Rs 11.28 bn in MPTwo multi-modal hubs to ease Chennai’s transport woes