Govt Mulls Foreign Collaboration for DPR Preps

Union minister flagged issue of 'faulty' reports

- PARVEZ SULTAN @New Delhi

As Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari often criticises the "poor quality" of detailed project reports (DPRs), the ministry may actively consider a proposal to allow joint ventures with international companies having a majority stake for preparing the blueprint for effective planning, execution and monitoring of infrastructure development.

According to some sources in the know about the matter, Gadkari chaired a meeting on DPRs earlier this month and discussed bringing in changes in the existing arrangements. "There was a long meeting in which deliberations were held about introducing changes in the system. Suggestions have been taken from the stakeholders," a source said.