NHAI Struggles with Tech-Resistant Firms: Minister Gadkari
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

NHAI Struggles with Tech-Resistant Firms: Minister Gadkari

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is encountering challenges in crafting detailed project reports, as certain companies are hesitant to embrace new technology, according to statements made by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday.

The Minister for Road Transport and Highways emphasised that the government is actively promoting the adoption of innovative technologies. Speaking at the 'CRISIL India Infrastructure Conclave 2023,' he noted that major players in the steel and cement industries have been involved in price-fixing schemes.

Gadkari remarked, "The steel and cement industries, whenever they have the opportunity, engage in collusion to inflate prices."

He further highlighted the difficulty in assessing companies responsible for generating detailed project reports, stating that, "The creation of DPRs poses a significant challenge for NHAI... there is no flawless DPR in any project." Known for his candid opinions, Gadkari added, "While creating DPRs, these companies engaged in DPR development are resistant to adopting new technology, innovative research, and the quality of DPRs is so subpar that there is consistently a need for additional work."

Regarding the high logistics costs in India, Gadkari pointed out that logistics costs in the country stand at 14-16 per cent, as compared to 8-10 per cent in China.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is encountering challenges in crafting detailed project reports, as certain companies are hesitant to embrace new technology, according to statements made by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday. The Minister for Road Transport and Highways emphasised that the government is actively promoting the adoption of innovative technologies. Speaking at the 'CRISIL India Infrastructure Conclave 2023,' he noted that major players in the steel and cement industries have been involved in price-fixing schemes. Gadkari remarked, The steel and cement industries, whenever they have the opportunity, engage in collusion to inflate prices. He further highlighted the difficulty in assessing companies responsible for generating detailed project reports, stating that, The creation of DPRs poses a significant challenge for NHAI... there is no flawless DPR in any project. Known for his candid opinions, Gadkari added, While creating DPRs, these companies engaged in DPR development are resistant to adopting new technology, innovative research, and the quality of DPRs is so subpar that there is consistently a need for additional work. Regarding the high logistics costs in India, Gadkari pointed out that logistics costs in the country stand at 14-16 per cent, as compared to 8-10 per cent in China.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Panel Urges Zone-Wise Freight Plans and Crew Strengthening

A Parliamentary Standing Committee has urged the Railway Ministry to prepare zone-wise plans to enhance freight traffic in regions with limited mineral movement and industrial activity, according to its ninth report tabled in Parliament on 10 August. The Committee commended efforts to augment network capacity through multitracking, operationalisation of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) and modernisation of yards. It noted that the Ministry has said periodic data-driven assessments are carried out with inputs from Zonal Railways, Divisional Railways and Business Development Units to support po..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Coal India Weighs Buying Wealth Minerals Unit For Chile Lithium

Coal India Limited is evaluating a proposal to acquire the Chilean lithium assets held by the Wealth Minerals unit in Canada as part of a strategic move into battery materials. The company is assessing the asset portfolio, regulatory landscape and integration challenges while retaining coal operations as its core business. The potential interest reflects a shift by a state-owned miner towards minerals critical to the low emission transition. Wealth Minerals, a Canada-based exploration company, holds licences and exploration agreements in Chile that involve hard rock and brine lithium prospects..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Bajel Projects Wins Ultra?Mega Transmission Line Contract

Bajel Projects Limited has secured an Ultra?Mega engineering, procurement and construction order for a transmission line package TL05 from PowerGrid Corporation of India Limited on behalf of its special purpose vehicle. The award forms part of the Western Region–Eastern Region inter?regional network expansion scheme Part A procured under the tariff based competitive bidding route. The contract covers construction of a 765 kV double circuit transmission line. The scope includes bypassing of the Raigarh (Tamnar)–Dharamjaygarh (Sec?B) 765 kV double circuit line and reconfiguration to form the..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement